Resource Library

In May 2018, the Arts Education Partnership published Music Matters. This was the first in a four-part series of special reports that used ArtsEdSearch to illustrate the many benefits of arts education. The Arts Counts series went on to publish Vi...

On April 5-7, 2022, we hosted a virtual event in support of teaching artists across the country. Our Shared Future: Imagining a New Landscape for Teaching Artists featured sessions that dug into the current realities and hopeful futures of teachin...

AEP defines STEAM education as an approach to teaching and learning in which students demonstrate critical thinking and creative problem-solving at the intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. STEAM instruction shares attri...

As policymakers continue to rethink, reshape and reform systems, it has become vital to involve the appropriate voices in these conversations. Inclusion of the people who are directly affected by policy and funding actions in their communities lea...

Considering education as an ecosystem — rather than a single, independent system or agency — recognizes the interconnections between environments within and outside of schools that impact student well-being. When included as a key part of the well...

This interactive and adaptive resource captures the insights and reflections of attendees who joined AEP's Arts and Literacies Thinkers Meeting Series. It incorporates art and text to support different experiences and interactions as visitors expl...

An arts education organization asked about states that named the arts in their approved state ESSER plans and their proposed arts-related activities. Our response includes an overview of the the states that included arts in their plans, the states...

This resource explores how theatre education promotes identity development and growth, builds empathy and relationships, and empowers students to transform their understanding of their place in the world.

This resource explores how dance education promotes early development of language and literacy, supports long-term academic growth and builds connections to community.

In response to the need for resources to help arts and education leaders navigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, AEP compiled relevant content to support the arts education field from 2020 through early 2021. We engaged our partners in shari...

An arts organization requested information on the status of academic standards and teacher certification for dance in each state and details on licensure assessment requirements to become a dance educator in states where dance certification exists...

An arts education program administrator requested information about school-based arts integration programs and structures, as well as school-based COVID-19 accommodations. Our response includes information on ways curriculum can be adjusted to acc...

An Arts Education Partnership partner asked about the impact of arts instruction on student engagement in other subjects within distance learning models. Our response includes multiple research studies (published on ArtsEdSearch and elsewhere) tha...

An Arts Education Partnership partner requested information on the status of media arts in state policy. Specifically, the partner wanted to know which states have media arts included in state policy and in what ways they are included. Our respons...

This Policy Brief captures the discussion, insights and policy considerations that came out of a Thinkers Meeting with 11 experts in the arts education and juvenile justice fields. It builds on the report, “Engaging the Arts Across the Juvenile Ju...

This Special Report examines how arts-based charter schools in the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland and North Carolina provide access to arts education and integrate the arts schoolwide across curricula, community engagement and teacher p...

A national arts organization requested information on arts education provisions in state reopening plans. Our response includes an analysis of current states that include arts education in their reopening plans.

An AEP partner asked if states are allowing schools to use Perkins V funds for arts pathways — other than digital media or film — within CTE programs. Our response includes an overview of three states’ CTE programs that incorporate visual and perf...

An AEP partner asked for information on alternative certification for arts educators. Our response includes examples of state policy related to alternative certification and arts education. The response also includes links to additional state alte...

A nonprofit organization requested information on K-12 arts education offerings. Our response includes a suite of resources that expand on arts education access, state data collection, research and policy information.

This Special Report explores research and programs that employ the arts along the juvenile justice continuum: in prevention, intervention, transition and healing.

In response to COVID-19, AEP is actively working with organizations involved in the arts and juvenile justice to share resources and insights on best supporting youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system, including youth in detention ce...

This one-page Policy Outline provides a brief overview of ways in which states and districts can use ESSA and Perkins V funds to support STEAM education.

This Special Report — drawing on insights from a technical working group of experts in arts education, state data systems and state policy — offers guidance on key arts education metrics many states could track by using data they already collect.

This Policy Brief shares insights from a recent Thinkers Meeting that looked beyond existing state policies and explored new pathways to guide future practice, research and policy work to support access to STEAM education for all students.

2024 NAEP ARTS ASSESSMENT UPDATE “To date, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have adopted early childhood, elementary and secondary content or performance standards for any and all disciplines of arts education, with 32 of these states d...

This Policy Brief highlights how states currently address schools of choice within policy, including those that intersect with arts education, and explores further opportunities to engage the arts in statewide policies and practices.

The Arts Education Partnership reviewed multiple research studies identified within ArtsEdSearch — a national clearinghouse of rigorous arts education research — to better understand the role visual arts play in student success. This resource ex...

This Policy Brief highlights state policies and practices — including access efforts, federal and state funding and statewide coordination — that can help states to advance STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education and in...

This summary is updated annually to reflect changes in legislation concerning the arts in education. It includes arts education policies for all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. Complete results from this review are available in an onli...

This report explores education policy areas where arts in education leaders and stakeholders can expand opportunities to engage the arts in policy solutions and includes examples of how states are currently using the arts in education to support...

This Education Trends report explores the design and impact of CYD programs — including examples of successful programs across the country — and provides policy considerations for states looking for ways to narrow the achievement gap and support...

As building-­level leaders, school principals play a key role in ensuring every student receives high-quality and equitable arts learning as part of a well-rounded education. Building on the first release of What School Leaders Can Do to Increas...

Building on the first release of Music Matters in 2011, the Arts Education Partnership reviewed multiple research studies identified within ArtsEdSearch — the national clearinghouse of rigorous arts education research — to explore the importance...

This Education Trends report explores successful practices for arts integration, with a focus on educator and school leader professional development and provides an overview of research that highlights the impact of instructor preparation and pr...

Opportunity to Learn (OTL) Standards identify the resources that teachers, schools and districts need for all students to achieve at or above the levels suggested in the 2014 National Core Arts Standards. With the passage of the Every Student Succ...

This Education Trends report explores research on how the arts bolster the development of deeper learning skills, provides examples of programs that successfully increased access to the arts in education in public schools, and includes state- an...

This Special Report highlights the ways that states and districts can engage the arts in the ongoing work of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Designed to continue growing as ESSA implementation proceeds, this report currently contains chapters ex...

Released in March 2015, The Arts Leading the Way to Student Success: A 2020 Action Agenda for Advancing the Arts in Education sets forth an ambitious plan for achieving the Action Agenda’s five-year aspirational goal: By the year 2020 every young ...

AEP’s latest research bulletin, Preparing Students for the Next America: The Benefits of an Arts Education, offers a snapshot of how the arts support achievement in school, bolster skills demanded of a 21st century workforce, and enrich the live...

ARTS ACCESS IN U.S. SCHOOLS (2009-10 FRSS) Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 1999-2000 and 2009-10  is a report released by the U.S. Department of Education and its Institute of Education Sciences (IES) that reports on da...

The Ford Foundation’s Integrating the Arts and Education Reform Initiative grantees describe practices for building community partnerships that integrate the arts into urban education systems.  

This literature review includes a historical overview, definitions and theoretical frameworks for arts integration, research and evaluation studies, methods and practices for each of the art forms.    

This report of the AEP Task Force on Higher Education identifies and documents promising practices for engaging schools, higher education institutions and arts communities in partnerships that support the development of the arts teaching workforc...

A research and policy brief discussing various approaches and methodologies for conducting statewide arts education based on examples in Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington.  

A response to the needs of policymakers, educators, parents and advocates for fact-­based, non­-technical language documenting the most current and compelling research on the value of arts learning.

The benefits of arts education for teachers, students and communities as discussed in the AEP publications Third Space and Critical Links.

This report proposes opportunities for future research on the arts and education based on a survey of the significant body of research in the field.  

Report of the Arts Education Partnership Task Force on Higher Education  

A report from a 2002 AEP National Forum examining the many forms of arts integration, various perspectives on the practice, and its value to student learning.

A guide to help design large-scale arts assessment decisions, this publication also provides informational support and activities to be used as both a practical tool and reference.  

Summary and discussion of 62 research studies examining how arts learning affects students’ social and academic skills.  

A look at exemplary collaborations between higher education, public education systems, and arts and cultural organizations to determine the best policies and actions for quality teaching of the arts.

A report from an October 2000 meeting in which 32 school districts from 19 states discussed the current status of arts education in their districts.  

This brochure was published alongside Gaining the Arts Advantage: Lessons from School Districts that Value Education as a snapshot of the full Gaining the Arts Advantage report.

This report summarizes an April 2000 meeting convened by AEP with arts education consultants from state departments of education. Discussion includes why partnerships fail and criteria for success.  

This report compiles seven major studies that provide new evidence of enhanced learning and achievement when students are involved in a variety of arts experiences.    

This report presents how successful arts education partnerships impact school policy and practices. It addresses key principles of effectiveness and key questions for developing partnerships.  

This booklet provides guiding principles and recommendations to support the development of arts­based early childhood programs and resources.