Read the latest research, news, and policy in our arts education RECAP for December 2025.
“Clovis Unified preschool program gets creative with state arts funding”
Published on November 3, 2025, by EdSource
Through innovative uses of Prop. 28 funding, preschoolers of Clovis Unified in Fresno County are exploring dramatic play and gaining hands-on experience in the visual and performing arts. “Clovis Unified district leaders are using about $150,000 of the $7 million the district receives in state arts funding, granted by Proposition 28, to bring arts, music and theater education to the preschool program through the interactive exhibit. Next semester, the same exhibit will be transformed into outer space.” EdSource
“Carol Burnett gives big to boost arts education”
Published on November 11, 2025, by The Story Exchange
“Like any comedic genius, longtime performer Carol Burnett understands the importance of good timing – and has made a notable donation in support of arts education at a time when both the arts and education are in dire need of assistance.” Burnett, a UCLA alumna, announced the donation of her awards—140 in total—and the creation of the Carol Burnett Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Music Theater at her alma mater. The Story Exchange
“Arts education in design is crucial”
Published on November 12, 2025, by The Post and Courier
Arts education is a key, and often missing, element in design thinking. “Traditional STEM approaches often prioritize efficiency and standardization. Arts education champions experimentation, embraces ambiguity and develops comfort with iterative failure — exactly what’s needed to navigate technological uncertainty. Students learn to observe human behavior, question assumptions and synthesize insights across disciplines.” The Post and Courier
“As a labor force, artists are ‘invisible.’ A new survey tries to change that”
Published on November 19, 2025, by WVIA
A new report from NORC, a nonpartisan research organization, at the University of Chicago is the first to provide a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of working artists today. “The dire picture painted by studies of the arts ecosystem is in contrast to reports on the positive economic impact of the arts and the social and emotional benefits of arts education.” WVIA
“The arts aren’t ‘nice to have’ — they can boost student engagement & attendance”
Published on November 30, 2025, by The 74
“Despite decades of research, arts education is still treated as a ‘nice-to-have’ when education budgets allow. From 2015 to 2019, the NAMM Foundation conducted a four-year study across 1,700 New York City public schools serving over 1.1 million students. They found that schools offering music and arts programming had lower rates of chronic absenteeism and higher overall school-day attendance than those that didn’t.” The 74
