Read the latest research, news, and policy in our arts education RECAP for February 2026.
“A Noise Within to host new arts education program for homeschooled students”
Published on January 6, 2026, by Broadway World
A leading producer of theater in the southern California region, A Noise Within, will host a arts education program this year. “Designed specifically for homeschooled students, the eight-week course meets Tuesdays from January 27 through March 17 from 1:30–3 p.m. Students will work through the entirety of Shakespeare’s magical comedy, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ strengthening reading comprehension and language arts skills while learning foundational acting techniques.” Broadway World
“Why the arts deserve a permanent space in K-12 education”
Published on January 6, 2026, by the WDET
“For some of our listeners, arts and culture from kindergarten through high school were guaranteed and expected. Woodshop, cooking classes and, of course, art classes were a part of the curriculum. As the decades have gone by, less money to schools means less resources. Oftentimes the first things cut from the budget are the arts. But educators who work within the K-12 school system say the arts are essential to a well-rounded education.” WDET
“South Fulton’s Southwest Arts Center expands access to arts education”
Published on January 12, 2026, by CBS News
“From graphite pencils and spoken word poetry to dance, South Fulton Southwest Arts Center is expanding arts education opportunities and expanding its role as a creative hub for the community.” Learn more about how one organization in the Atlanta area is incorporating the arts into the community. CBS News
“Tackling loneliness with the arts”
Published on January 13, 2026, by Inside Higher Ed
Making art isn’t just good for cultivating creativity; new research suggests it also goo for improving mental and emotional wellbeing. “Early results suggest the model is helping students. More than 70 percent of participants reported improvements in their overall mental health and well-being, while about 60 percent saw reductions in symptoms such as depression and anxiety.” Inside Higher Ed
“Prop 28: How California turns arts funding into a competitive advantage”
Published on January 14, 2026, by Palm Springs Tribune
“Proposition 28 is one of the tools California now has to change that—by giving school systems and professional arts educators the time, resources, and partnerships they need to turn whole communities into studios where every student can build the same kind of creative foundation, not by chance but by design.” Palm Springs Tribune
