facts & STats
Global and National Links:
1. Globally-- Research indicates that STEM professionals around the world who are exposed to the fine and performing arts tend to be more creative problem-solvers in their workplaces compared to their peers without Arts exposure.
2. In 2012, 15-year-olds in the U.S. ranked 26th in math and 17th in reading among the world’s 34 most developed countries. This is further proof that sacrificing the Arts in our schools impacts America’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
3. Nationally-- Despite the benefits of Arts programs in America’s schools, Arts budgets are often the first to be cut in hard financial times. This has had global impact.
4. In general, U.S. students with Arts participation score higher on standardized tests like the SAT.
5. They are also less likely to use drugs, alcohol or be involved with the police.
6. Exposure to music and the other performing arts helps in-need or at-risk students get better grades.
7. Studies show that instrumental or choral music participation helps bridge the academic achievement gap between Black and Hispanic students and other kids.
The U.S. Government's 2010 College and Career Readiness Report found that
- only 43% of high school graduates were ready for college math
- and 29% were prepared to do college-level science
However, research shows that students who participate in the arts and sciences tend to have higher academic achievement. Check it out:
According to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) 2012 Report, students who actively participate in the Arts
- tend to get better grades in science and writing
- engage in more beneficial extracurricular activities
- were more likely to go to college and graduate from college
- had higher career goals, including working in the STEM fields
- were more likely to be engaged in their communities and local governments
- 71% of low-income students with a high exposure to the arts attended college, compared with only 48 percent who had a low arts exposure.
- Consistent with other studies, this again found that students highly exposed to the arts had better grades and test scores in all subjects.
A Scientific American.com article from August 2012 reported that when compared to average scientists, someone awarded the Nobel Prize in science is
- 17 times likelier to be a painter
- 12 times as likely to be a poet
- 4 times more likely to be a musician