Innovations in Education

The N.C. Arts Council is an education champion, advocating a comprehensive arts education for all students in and out of the classroom. Research shows that arts education – either as stand-alone subjects or integrated into the school curriculum — is highly effective in preparing young people for successful lives.

The arts stimulate the learning environment, lead to improved test scores, and lower dropout rates. The arts develop critical thinking, social and motivational skills. The arts give kids the chance to practice creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

The N.C. Arts Council’s educational programs include nationally-recognized A+ Schools of North Carolina, a whole-school reform model that places the arts at the center of all learning and teaching; the Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) where students learn traditional arts in a hands-on after-school program; and Poetry Out Loud that encourages high school students to connect with poetry through recitation and performance.

Our Arts in Education grants support schools and nonprofit organizations to involve professional artists in pre-K–12 settings, either with cARTwheels performances or longer-term artist residencies.