Read the latest research, news, and policy in our arts education RECAP for May 2025.
“Marching to Their Own Beat: How Music Education Helps Students Find Purpose—and Joy”
Published April 2025, by American Educator
For the American Educator, Fredrick C. Ingram, secretary-treasurer of AFT and a former high school music teacher, shares the incredible impact the arts and arts educators can have on students. “An arts educator helped me find a new purpose in my life,” Ingram writes. “And, as an arts educator, I saw purpose and potential in my students and gave them the tools to discover it for themselves.” American Educator
“A Compton drama class gives all students a chance to shine”
Published on April 3, 2025, by EdSource
On EdSource’s podcast Education Beat, host Zaidee Stavely and reporter Karen D’Souza sit down with Catherine Borek, a drama and English teacher in the Compton Unified School District. In this episode, they discuss how drama can be therapy to help kids conquer anxiety and what role theater can play in the classroom. EdSource
“Studies show links between arts programs and positive academic outcomes, skills”
Published on April 4, 2025, by WHYY
Not only are arts programs vital for children because of the social and emotional learning outcomes they produce, new research suggests they also correlate to academic success as well. “Their findings showed that the students exposed to arts-related programs, such as music, demonstrated positive academic outcomes or improved skill development, compared to those who didn’t participate.” WHYY
“A Q&A With Musician Gretchen Gonzales Davidson on Arts and Advocacy”
Published on April 9, 2025, by Smithsonian Magazine
Musician and staunch advocate for the arts Gretchen Gonzales Davidson sat down with Smithsonian Magazine to discuss public arts advocacy. “For all of the art that is consumed by everybody, everywhere, every day, it’s a shame that art is often undervalued,” says Gonzales Davidson. “On any board or arts council I sit on, I put advocacy at the top of my priorities.” Smithsonian Magazine
“KCRA 3: Hundreds of Artists Gather for Summit in Sacramento”
Published on April 22, 2025, by KCRA 3
CA for the Arts hosted the third annual CA Arts & Culture Summit earlier this month. More than 400 artists and arts leaders are in Sacramento on Tuesday for a two-day conference. Learn more about how these artists and art leaders from across the state gathered to meet with lawmakers and advocate for the arts. KCRA 3
