We know that the arts play a critical role in education and in our everyday lives. From pre-school to creative aging programs, the arts help develop artistic learning and expression, as well as creative problem-solving skills.

To help us highlight this critical component of education, the country celebrates National Arts in Education Week. From September 10-16, communities across the country will take time to recognize the impact of the arts in education. Americans for the Arts’ website has a wealth of information about events happening across the country, talking points about advocating for the arts, and ideas about how to participate in this important week.

Here in Cincinnati, we support arts education through ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action. The arts fuel creativity and learning in schools and develop the creative employees that business leaders are seeking. The arts help to foster the 21st century skills that all students need to succeed in school and in life. Skills like communication, collaboration, critical and creative thinking are the foundations of strong arts programs in schools and education programs offered by the vibrant arts and cultural organizations in the region.

If you are interested in learning more about arts education and advocacy work, the Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education will be hosting Find Your Voice: An Arts and Education Summit on November 7, 2017. The Summit will be held at the Cincinnati Art Museum from 8:30 – 4:00. Guest speaker Jeff Poulin, Arts Education Program Manager for Americans for the Arts, will provide a national arts education update along with advocacy tips. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion around arts education questions led by community leaders. The afternoon will offer professional development experiences for educators.

I encourage you to participate in whatever way you can in National Arts in Education Week. Raise your voice in support of the important work happening in our community around arts education.

Lauren Hess is the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Children's Choir. She is a founding member of the Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education, a coalition of arts organizations working to strengthen the voice of arts advocates in Cincinnati. She has also worked with The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, and is a Past President of the Board of Directors for the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education. She currently serves on the Arts Education Advisory Council of Americans for the Arts.