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Recognizing the week of September 14th to 19th, 2026, as National Arts in Education Week in the City of Philadelphia, and celebrating the essential role arts education plays in developing the next generation of creative thinkers, leaders, and community builders.
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WHEREAS, National Arts in Education week, established in 2010 and observed annually during the second week of September, affirms the essential role of arts education in fostering a well-rounded and enriching academic experience for young people; and
WHEREAS, Arts education spanning dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature and design, is a core academic subject and a cornerstone of a well-balanced education for students of all ages; and
WHEREAS, Research consistently demonstrates that access to arts education increases student engagement, improves attendance, strengthens graduation outcomes, and enhances mental health and emotional well-being, providing young people with powerful outlets for self-expression and confidence building; and
WHEREAS, The arts are a defining part of Philadelphia’s cultural identity. Reflected across the City’s renowned murals, historic institutions, diverse music traditions and vibrant creative communities, all of which reinforce Philadelphia’s long-standing commitment to artistic expression and innovation; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Hall will honor National Arts in Education Week 2026 with three exhibitions highlighting student creativity and collaboration. This exhibition was completed in partnership with Creative Philadelphia who have been constant stewards of ensuring that Philadelphia students have access to high-quality opportunities in the arts; and
WHEREAS, One exhibit, titled “Art for Social Justice,” invited Philly Youth Vote and Central High School students to create artistic interpretations of public policy issues and their interpretation for how we can solve these issues in Philadelphia. This project was led by Central High School teacher...
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