Bringing arts to the schools is at the heart of AACA’s program of work. Throughout its history, AACA has brought hundreds of artists to the schools of Athens and McMinn County for performances, workshops, and extended residencies. Parents, teachers, and administrators all know that reading, writing, and math skills can be enhanced through the arts. Research shows that students of the arts outperform their non-arts peers on the SAT and ACT.

The arts teach not only basic skills, but also hone the ability to make what Dr. David Hendrickson calls “better or worse judgments.” These are situations where several correct options exist, not just right or wrong answers. Some of the correct options are better than other also correct options. In the process of making art, a series of judgments of better or worse must be made in the context of the student’s past experience and the surrounding culture. Art therefore trains students to make these better or worse judgments, rather than merely arriving at right or wrong answers as in most academic subjects.

Arts in Education

Ford Foundation Report - www.fordfound.org

Southeast Center for Education in the Arts - www.sceaonline.com

Arts Education Partnership - www.aep-arts.org

Tennessee Arts Commission - www.arts.state.tn.us

Design

Design Education - www.designeducation.org

The American Institute of Architects - www.aia.org/ed_k12programs/

Music

PBS American Roots Music - www.pbs.org/americanrootsmusic/