Title
Recognizing the week of September 9th through September 13th, 2024 as National Arts in Education Week in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Arts education, which encompasses disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, plays a fundamental role in a well-rounded, comprehensive education; and
WHEREAS, Arts education equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, fosters imagination and creativity, nurtures discipline and collaboration, provides alternative means to communicate and express ideas, and promotes cross-cultural understanding, all of which contribute to academic success across the curriculum; and
WHEREAS, The impact of arts education extends beyond academic success, as students engaged in the arts exhibit improved attendance, higher graduation rates, and greater overall achievement in school; and
WHEREAS, Arts education supports growth outside of the confines of the classroom, encouraging personal development and community engagement, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to civic life and fostering qualities such as empathy, creativity, and leadership that benefit society as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to dedicated arts teachers, administrators, and arts organizations who work tirelessly to inspire and guide students, helping them discover and nurture their talents, planting the seeds for a lifelong appreciation of the arts, and contributing to the vibrancy and cultural richness of our city; and
WHEREAS, The creativity and talent fostered through arts education help Philadelphia flourish by cultivating a future workforce equipped with the creative and communication skills essential to success in the 21st-century economy; and
WHEREAS, Creative Philadelphia, the City’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, celebrates National Arts in Education Week with the A+ Art student artist exhibition, showcasing the work of 290 students from 25 School Districts of Philadelphia public schools, representing all 10 City Council districts across Philadelphia, demonstrating the transformative power of arts education; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City Council of Philadelphia hereby recognizes the week of September 9th through 13th, 2024, as National Arts in Education Week in the City of Philadelphia, honoring the importance of arts education in fostering the creativity and academic achievement of Philadelphia’s youth.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution will be presented to Creative Philadelphia as a sincere expression of the City Council’s gratitude to honor this occasion.
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