Yamaha Hosts "Examining the Evidence" - Arts Education Research Roundtable in NYC
On May 8, 2019 leaders from the New York City Public Schools and representative from New York’s philanthropic and cultural sectors met at the Yamaha Artists Salon in New York, New York to discuss the progress and future goals for music and arts education in New York City schools.
Facilitated by The NAMM Foundation’s Executive Director and NAMM’s Director of Public Affairs, Mary Luehrsen, the meeting focused on the district’s strategic plan to assure music and arts education opportunities for all students and the implications of a recent NAMM Foundation funded study on relationships between arts education offerings and chronic absenteeism.
During this meeting, it was shared that New York City public schools are currently budgeting $433 million per year on arts education annually, including the employment of over 1,080 certified music teachers. Presentations included Paul King, Executive Director from the Office of Arts and Special Projects who provided an overview of the Chancellor’s Arts Education Strategic Plan including identifying key decision and action points for the remainder of 2019 and beyond. In addition, a review of the study, Arts and Attendance: An Examination of the Relationship between Arts and Chronic Absenteeism, was led by Susanne Hartnett, Ph.D. who is a Managing Senior Associate with Metis Associates. The study revealed that absenteeism was lower in elementary schools where arts education offerings were consistent and of high quality. It also revealed the work needed in city elementary and high schools to strengthen music and arts education opportunities. The event concluded with an expression of general interest for the group to continue as a “working group” to support the music and arts education needs of the nation’s largest public school district.
To learn more about the most recent studies funded by The NAMM Foundation, please visit https://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/music-research.