2026 -- H 8263

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LC003534

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2026 AS “ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS MONTH” IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Fellela,
Diaz, Tanzi, Fogarty, Ajello, and Felix

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2026

     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 school attendance and participation, as well as

teamwork and collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, public speaking, cultural

competency, and resiliency, all essential skills that employers require in a 21st century economy;

and

     WHEREAS, With new regulations and policies in place, arts education in our schools can

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

     WHEREAS, The R.I. State Council on the Arts went through a public process to

overhaul the Project Grants in Education application and evaluation criteria to better deliver

support and services to 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, unique educational

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

school and graduate with proficiency ready to enter the R.I. 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

celebrates March of 2026 as “Arts in the Schools Month” and urges 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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