Data from the city Department of Education revealed that many New York City schools lack sufficient access to arts education, especially in underserved communities.
During a joint hearing of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries and Committee on Education at City Hall on Tuesday, City Council members heard testimony from the Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Education and advocates that noted how one in five public schools in the city lack a certified arts teacher, according to a press release.
From 2020-2023, public schools lost 425 full-time certified arts teachers and only 31% of eighth grade students meet state requirements for arts education.
Students in historically underserved communities were most likely to be impacted by the lack of access to arts education, city officials testified. About 47% of schools reported that funding for the arts is generally insufficient, and schools in lower-income communities have even fewer resources to fund arts programs.
Although many schools partner with cultural organizations to offer additional arts programming, almost 20% of public schools don’t partner with any organization.
"The arts ignite creativity, build confidence, and help students see the world and themselves in new ways," said Council Member Rita Joseph, chiar of the Committee on Education. "Investing in arts education means investing in the full potential of our young people."
