The arts are more than just another class at school—they can positively affect student motivation, attendance, and the entire culture of a school. That’s why PTA has long supported the arts through the PTA Reflections program and arts advocacy. National PTA has now added resources for PTAs to help them use the arts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at their schools. Illinois PTA also supports the arts in part through our Spotlight event celebrating children and the arts (register now for this year’s event on May 1).
The National PTA resources on arts education and advocacy include:
- A Diversity in the Arts Celebration Guide
- Best practices for incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion in your PTA and your school
- An Arts Education Leader’s Guide
- A guide for hosting a Creative Career Fair
The resources also include arts partnership opportunities, National PTA arts grants, and much, much more.
Illinois PTA’s Spotlight: A Children’s Celebration of Arts and Community is back this year on May 1 at Millikin University after a couple of pandemic-related cancelations. The only requirement in signing up for this free event is to be a kid—you don’t have to have participated in PTA Reflections, your PTA doesn’t have to offer a PTA Reflections program, and you don’t even have to be a PTA member to attend. Spotlight is a celebration of all children and the arts.
By attending Spotlight, you’ll see fantastic artwork by children from across the state in the galleries, your children can take hands-on workshops hosted by Millikin arts students on a variety of arts areas (and Illinois PTA-run workshops for the little ones not yet in school), and you can help Illinois PTA celebrate children and the arts. Sign up today!
One Voice Illinois 