How does arts integration impact the community?
The use of community cultural resources improves cultural awareness in Arts for Learning participants. Studies of 25,000 students showed that student involvement in the arts is linked to higher academic performance, increased standardized test scores, more community service and lower dropout rates. All of these factors decrease the incidents of truancy and crime and increase cultural pride. Performance events involve the entire community and create a bridge between the arts and families. These cognitive and developmental benefits are reaped by students regardless of their socioeconomic status.
