Designate March Arts Education Month

SENATE RESOLUTION 26-003

BY SENATOR(S) Snyder and Baisley, Amabile, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, Coleman.

CONCERNING DESIGNATING MARCH AS "ARTS EDUCATION MONTH" IN COLORADO.

WHEREAS, Arts education, which comprises a rich array of disciplines such as dance, media arts, music, film and theatre arts, visual arts, and more, is a well-rounded subject and is an essential element of a complete education for all students; and WHEREAS, A substantive and sequential visual and performing arts curriculum enables students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline and collaboration, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which support academic success across the curriculum; and . WHEREAS, Arts education contributes to increased attendance and graduation rates; elevates academic achievement; enhances social and emotional learning; and paves the way for students to achieve college, career, and citizenship readiness; and WHEREAS, To succeed in today's economy, students must masterfully develop skills that business leaders demand in a 21st century workforce, including the ability to be creative, communicate effectively, collaborate with peers, think critically, and innovate; and

WHEREAS, Although arts education is part of a well-rounded education according to federal statute, access to quality arts education is not widely available or consistent across Colorado; and WHEREAS, Standards for dance; drama, film, and theatre arts; music; and visual arts have been fully embedded in the Color~do academic standards and are updated every six years, but there is no statewide instructional requirement for elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools; and WHEREAS, Colorado is one of only two states. that does not collect data on course-level offerings in the arts across all districts or data on student participation in specific forms of art, such as dance, music, theatre, or visual arts, which leads to difficulty in evaluating the equitable access to arts education for Colorado students, schools, and districts; and WHEREAS, The arts are a valued and integral part of life in the United States and in Colorado, are essential for a complete education, and contribute immensely to the vibrancy and vitality of communities and the nation; now, therefore, Belt Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado: (1) That, to align with Music in Our Schools Month, Theatre in Our Schools Month, Dance in Your Schools Month, and Youth Art Month, all of which are celebrated nationally in March each year, the Colorado General Assembly designates March as "Arts Education Month" to commemorate, celebrate, and advance the vital role that arts learning plays in a complete and comprehensive education; and (2) That the state of Colorado recognizes the need to expand equitable access to quality arts education across the state to serve all students.

Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to Governor Jared Polis and the members of the Colorado State Board of Education.

James Rashad Coleman Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE