Music and Arts for Young People Report

In spite of compelling evidence on the impact of arts and music on the development of students, music and art have become increasingly rare in U.S. public schools as the curriculum has narrowed due to both a tighter focus on core subjects that are tested on standardized exams and decreased budgets that have forced staff reductions.  For donors who remain committed to the power of music and the arts on young people, deeper understanding of the issues and new models has become increasingly important.

In its 21 years of operations, TPI has helped a variety of donors and corporations to learn more about the value of arts and music education, and to design and implement strategies to more effectively engage young people through the arts and music.

TPI recently completed a report on Music and Arts for Young People on behalf of the Incredible Children's Arts Network in Santa Barbara. The report, authored by Joanne Duhl of TPI, examines the research on the value of music and art for all young people, including its impact on language, literacy, and other school readiness skills of preschool children and its ability to engage young people who are otherwise not successful in school.  It also profiles outstanding in-school and community-based music and arts programs, including well established programs and new initiatives based on Venezuela's highly successful El Sistema.  The Incredible Children's Arts Network, which is based at the Santa Barbara Foundation, intends to use the information in the report to inform its work in affecting social change through the arts.

The donor who commissioned TPI to conduct this work has generously offered to share these findings with other interested parties, in the hope that other donors will also find ways to support arts and music education in schools and communities throughout the country.  If you would like a copy of the report, please contact TPI.

Read more about the Music and Arts for Young People report at TPI’s blog.