It’s March! —That special month in the school year when we celebrate all things Arts. Youth Art Month (YAM), Theatre in Our Schools Month(TIOS), Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM), and Dance in our schools. In the fall, communities show support for arts education during National Arts in Education Week. March is the time for students in the arts to shine. Originally springing from individual events by different educational organizations as many as 40 years ago, we now collectively highlight the benefits of arts education and the achievements of our young visual and performing artists across the country during Arts in Our Schools Month.
You’ve seen the research. We know that young people who are highly engaged in the arts (“for at least three hours, three days a week through at least one full year”) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair, or to win an award for writing an essay or poem; and are three times more likely to be elected to class office or to win an award for school attendance. Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently; participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently; read for pleasure nearly twice as often; and perform community service more than four times as often. And the impact of strong arts education programs are most beneficial for low-income students highly engaged in the arts. They are more than twice as likely to graduate college as their peers with no arts education.*
Strong arts education programs not only benefit our students, they enrich school culture and strengthen our communities. Celebrations, fairs, parades, plays, concerts, performances, recitals, services, shows, and exhibits are all vehicles that involve and introduce students to civic life and service.
In addition to gifted, dedicated teachers and administrators, community involvement is critically important for arts education to flourish. March is the perfect time to connect with teachers to show your support. Proudly add that original finger-painting masterpiece to your refrigerator! Volunteer. Contribute to a local school arts program or support group. Even if you do not have children in school, make it a point to attend a school performance this month. Just take a look at the opportunities in our own neighborhood…
March Arts Education Calendar for Chatham County Schools
{public performances are noted in green}
- March 3 N. Chatham Elementary—Chorus Concert, 7pm
- March 3 V. Cross Elementary—Wrights of Passage. EbzB Residency
- March 3 Northwood—pre-MPA Concert & Jazz Band Showcase, 7pm
- March 4 N. Chatham Elementary—Chorus, school performance 8:30am
- March 8 Northwood—NCMEA HS Chorus MPA—Meredith
- March 8 Chatham Central High—NCMEA HS Chorus MPA—Meredith
- March 8 Horton—pre-MPA Concert, 6 pm
- March 8 Jordan-Matthews—Vocal Music Honors Recital, 7pm
- March 11 Nationwide—TIOS—Wear Your Show Shirt Day
- March 14 Bonlee—Middle School Band MPA—Cedar Ridge HS
- March 15 Horton—Middle School Band MPA—Cedar Ridge HS
- March 16 Chatham Middle—Middle School Band MPA—Cedar Ridge HS
- March 18 Northwood—Concert Band MPA—Asheboro HS
- March 17-19 Northwood—Spring Musical, The Wedding Singer, 7pm
- March 22 Jordan-Matthews—Spring Festival of the Arts
- March 24 Siler City Elementary—4th Grade trip to NC Symphony
- March 24 JMArts—Cabaret Night at Pittsboro Roadhouse, 7pm
To Learn More…Visit any of the following organizations
- Chatham County Schools
- EbzB Productions
- JM Arts Education Foundation
- Music in Our Schools Month
- National Dance Education Association
- NHS Arts Education Foundation
- Theatre in Our Schools Month
- Youth Art Month
* Americans for the Arts. (2013). Arts Education Navigator: Facts and Figures. [Retrieved from https://issuu.com/americans4arts/docs/afta_navigator_facts-and-figures]
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