Harris Poll shows 93 percent believe the arts are vital

American Music Teacher, Dec, 2005

A Harris Poll released earlier this year on the attitudes of Americans toward arts education revealed 93 percent agree that the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children. Additionally, 54 percent rated the importance of arts education a "10" on a scale of one to 10.

This telephone poll of 1,000 adults demonstrated strong support among Americans for arts education. For example, 86 percent of those polled agree that an arts education encourages and assists in the improvement of a child's attitude toward school, and 83 percent believe that arts education helps teach children to communicate effectively with adults and peers.

At the same time, the survey showed uncertainty among "those involved in the life of a child" about how to become involved in advocating for arts education in schools. Sixty-two percent believe there are other people or organizations in the community better suited to take action than they are; 40 percent say that they do not know how to get involved in arts education.