Expressing support for designation of the week of March 16, 2014, through March 22, 2014, as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week.

Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students; Whereas arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success nationwide as well as personal growth outside the classroom; Whereas the nonprofit arts sector is an economic engine and plays a significant role in the economic health of communities large and small with direct expenditures of wages and benefits as well as goods and services; Whereas to succeed in today’s economy, students must masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to communicate; Whereas the Young Audiences Arts for Learning impacts more than 5,000,000 school children annually with valuable arts-in-education programs; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning presents more than 88,000 arts in education programs to students and teachers; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning works with 4,600 professional teaching artists; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning produces programs in more than 8,000 schools and community centers annually; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning ensures the highest standards of arts in education programs; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning creates and disseminates learning resources and ideas for inspiring children, teachers, and volunteers, and supports opportunities for schools, communities, educators, and families to engage in the arts together; Whereas Young Audiences of Rochester was established in January of 1962, and is upstate New York’s oldest and most comprehensive arts-in-education organization; Whereas with over 150 quality teaching artists and an array of unique programs, Young Audiences of Rochester serves 100,000 young people in urban, rural, and suburban settings annually; Whereas Young Audiences of Rochester celebrated its 50th anniversary in a merger with ArtPeace to widen the scope and impact of arts learning for young people; and Whereas the week of March 16, 2014, through March 22, 2014, would be an appropriate week to designate as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week; (2) honors and recognizes the contributions which Young Audiences Arts for Learning programs have made in enriching the lives of students, teachers, volunteers, families, and communities and pays tribute to arts in education and its contribution to society; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the role that arts in education plays in enriching the education of young people and enriching United States society as a whole.

Summary: Supports the designation of National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week. (Young Audiences Arts for Learning is a nonprofit organization that presents arts-in-education programs to students and teachers.) Honors the contributions which Young Audiences Arts for Learning programs have made in enriching the lives of students, teachers, volunteers, families, and communities.