Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today released the 2017-18 annual Arts in Schools Report and announced a record $433 million citywide investment in arts education, up from $336 million at the start of this administration in 2013-14. The $97 million increase in annual citywide arts education spending includes school-based spending in addition to the administration’s annual $23 million investment to expand programming, renovate arts spaces, and hire new teachers, which began in the 2014-15 school year.
Other highlights from the 2017-18 Arts in Schools Report include:
- A record 2,837 full-time certified arts teachers in New York City schools, representing an 18 percent increase from 2013-14
- 100 percent of responding schools collaborating with one or more cultural partners, up from 84 percent in 2013-14, and including 431 cultural partners citywide
- Investment in partnerships and grants to 369 schools to support arts education, including specific programming for Multilingual Learners and Students with Disabilities
“A rigorous and enriching arts education provides students with an outlet for their creativity and helps them develop key skills such as critical thinking and collaboration,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We’re committed to prioritizing the arts across our 1,800 public schools to help our students achieve success in the classroom and beyond.”
“Growing up, the arts brought everyone in my family together. Music opened my eyes to culture and history, kept me grounded, and taught me how to stay focused on a goal,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “The skills we learn in the arts apply well beyond chords and color palettes and help so many of our students thrive in and out of the classroom. Whether our students pursue an art form into college and careers, or it’s simply their favorite class of the week, I am proud that New York City is investing in high-quality arts education for all students.”
Under this administration, New York City has increased the number of full-time certified arts teachers citywide by 444, representing an 18 percent increase in the number of full-time certified arts teachers over the last five years. In 2017-18, the DOE had 2,837 full-time teachers serving students in PK-12, up from 2,770 in the previous year, and up from 2,393 in 2013-14.
For the first time in 2017-18, 100 percent of responding schools – 1,491 schools – reported working with one or more cultural partners, up from 84 percent in 2013-14. New York City schools partner with 431 cultural organizations citywide, bringing professional artists into schools to conduct workshops and exhibitions, and expose students to world-class performances.
The DOE continues to advance equity for Multilingual Learners and students with disabilities through partnerships grants, including Arts for English Language Learners and Students with Disabilities, Arts Continuum, and the Arts + Families Engagement program. These grants grew to serve 369 schools in 2017-18 – with approximately 200 arts organizations providing services – up from 144 schools when the grants launched in 2014-15. Additionally, in 2017-18, the DOE released the Arts and Students with Disabilities Online Resource Compendium, a resource on best practices for educating students with disabilities in the arts classroom. Additional training using this resource is available throughout the 2018-19 school year.
The 2017-18 Arts in Schools Report also highlights a number of new and expanded arts initiatives that are reaching students across all five boroughs: family engagement activities including Borough Art Festivals and High School Audition and Application Workshops, and additional professional development for arts educators. In summer 2018, the DOE served 252 students through the Middle School Arts Audition Boot Camp, up from 98 in July 2014. Sponsored by the DOE and hosted by Lincoln Center Education, the Audition Boot Camp provides intensive support and targeted training to students auditioning for and applying to arts-based high schools in New York City. The program works to level the playing field by helping students from Title I middle schools prepare for auditions at competitive arts high schools.
“As Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, I would like to commend Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza for making this great investment for our students,” said Assembly Member Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee. “Arts education is so important in helping young New Yorkers to discover their talents, enhance their skills and enrich their lives. Expansion of the arts has been a priority of the Assembly majority, and I thank Speaker Heastie and my colleagues for all the state budget support for these initiatives.”
“An investment in arts education is an investment in the success of our students. Arts education improves our children’s cognitive abilities, including learning, attention, motivation and intelligence,” said State Senator José M. Serrano. “Studies have also shown the correlations between school-based arts instruction and high school graduation rates in New York City public schools. While there is still more work to do, I am heartened by the progress shown in this year’s Arts in Schools Report. As incoming Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, I look forward to working to ensure all of our students have access to a strong arts curriculum. I commend Chancellor Carranza for his commitment to providing our children with a well-rounded education.”
Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our schools are starting earlier – free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier – Universal Literacy so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra. They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, including Equity & Excellence for All: Diversity in New York City Public Schools are central to this pathway.
The 2017-18 Arts in Schools Report is available online.
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