2024 -- H 8034

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LC005502

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2024, AS "ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS MONTH" IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Kennedy,
Ajello, Tanzi, Fellela, Shallcross Smith, and Henries

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The arts enhance and enrich the lives of every Rhode Islander; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has clear evidence that the arts contribute

significantly to our quality of life, the education of our citizens and the economy of our State; and

     WHEREAS, Arts learning fosters teamwork and collaboration, critical thinking, problem-

solving, public speaking, cultural competency, flexibility and attention to detail, all essential

skills that employers require in a 21st century economy; and

     WHEREAS, With our R.I. Arts Education Data Dashboard, arts education in our schools

can be quantified to present a full picture of arts education in the Ocean State; and

     WHEREAS, The Dashboard now allows us to track and monitor if students are getting

access to Rhode Island's required arts education as specified in our Basic Education Plan and

education statutes; and

     WHEREAS, The R.I. State Council on the Arts overhauled the Project Grants in

Education to be more accessible, equitable and transparent to deliver better support and services

to arts education in the schools, arts educators and teaching artists; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Education has published an Arts

Curriculum Framework to support high-quality, standards-based arts instruction for all students;

and

     WHEREAS, Arts education in the schools provides substantial and unique educational

benefits to all elementary, middle and secondary students, helping them to stay engaged in

school, and graduate with proficiency, ready to enter Rhode Island's workforce; and

     WHEREAS, The National Art Education Association, the American Alliance for Theatre

and Education, the Educational Theatre Association, the National Association for Music

Education, and the National Dance Education Organization designate the month of March as

"Youth Arts Month"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims March 2024 to be "Arts in the Schools Month" in our State. We furthermore urge all

the citizens of the State to join us in the observance of this month, and to recognize and applaud

the efforts of arts educators, artists and administrators, who work diligently to ensure that all

young people have access to the arts in their school throughout the school year; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

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LC005502

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