Arts Education

Mission

The mission of the Arts & Cultural Education program of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) is to take an active role in the education and social welfare of Montgomery County’s children and youth by ensuring accessible, high-quality arts programming in partnership with other community resources.

Why?

In the 21st century knowledge economy, an arts-infused education is critical to producing the next generation of leaders and workers. Economists estimate some 3.3 million jobs—or more—will move out of the United States over the next 10-15 years because of a scarcity of qualified workers—workers with the creativity and technological skills needed to compete in a global economy. Irrefutable research links arts participation to academic achievement, the development of critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, innovation and self-discipline—key ingredients in future workplace success.

As important as the development of future leaders and a highly successful workforce may be, there are other societal reasons why arts education matters. Children who participate in the arts generally have better self-esteem and self-assurance. They are more empathetic, tolerant and have better communication skills. Among at-risk students and those with special needs, the impact of sustained arts participation is even more compelling. The arts nurture social skills such as conflict resolution, self-control and collaboration. Arts education fosters a motivation to learn, to become and to stay engaged—and stay in school.

How Do We Do It?

AHCMC supports a variety of arts and cultural education programs including:

Curriculum-Based Grants for Schools

AHCMC provides grants to support Curriculum-Based Arts Integration Residencies in public, private and parochial schools. Grant seekers must use one of AHCMC's 25 Teaching Artists. Teaching Artists are trained in curriculum-based arts integration, school culture, and classroom management. To learn more about grants for Curriculum-Based Arts Integration Residencies click here. To see the Teaching Artist Roster click here.

 
Artists and Scholars for Community Programs Roster

Youth service providers and after-school programs seeking arts  performances, workshops, and residencies should visit this Roster.  Organizations who work with at-risk students or students with special needs are particularly encouraged to utilize this Roster.  To find out more information about booking an artist, click here.

21 Century Learner Centers

With Montgomery County Public Schools' Title One Office, the Arts Education program employs 35 to 40 artists every summer to work with the afternoon program of the Extended Learning Opportunities-Summer Adventure in Learning Program. These artists provide curriculum-based arts integration programs for students of Title One schools.  For information about the program and application for employment, please click here.