Americans for the Arts have 10 suggestions for being an activist for the arts.
1. Enjoy the arts together. Sing, play music, read a book, dance, or draw with your child at home.
2. Encourage your child to participate in the arts and celebrate their participation in or out of school.
3. Explore your communitys library and read "the classics" together -- from Mother Goose to Walt Whitman.
4. Read your local newspaper to find out about attending local arts events like museum exhibits, local plays, festivals, or outdoor concerts.
5. Tell your child's teacher, principal, and school leadership that the arts are vital to your child's success and an important part of a quality education. Find out if your school has sufficient resources for arts education, including qualified teachers and materials. If not, offer to help.
6. Contact your local arts organizations to inquire about the arts education programs they offer either during school hours or after school. Volunteer to donate time, supplies, or help with their advocacy efforts and connect these services to your child's school.
7. Attend a school board or PTA meeting and voice your support for the arts to show them you care and make sure the arts are adequately funded as part of the core curriculum in the school budget.
8. Explore your child's dream to sing, to dance, to draw, to act -- and encourage them to become the best they can be through the arts.
9. Be an arts supporter! Contact your elected officials -- lawmakers and school board members -- to ask them for more arts education funding from the local, state and federal levels. Visit http://www.americansforthearts.org/information_services/arts_education_community/
10. Sign up to become an activist on the Americans for the Arts website, just a click away! Through their e-activist list, you will get news updates and alerts about arts education. Visit http://capwiz.com/artsusa/home/
