Commonly Asked Questions...

Q: What are the benefits to Arts Integration?
A: Studies have shown the many positive effects of an arts-rich school environment on both students and teachers, such as higher job satisfaction for teachers, enhanced critical thinking and problem solving skills in students, along with the ability to make stronger, meaningful connections between academic disciplines, the outside world, and to everyday life. Research has also revealed the positive impact that a strong arts curriculum has on learning in other academic subjects, attitudes, and behaviors among pre-school, general K-12, and at-risk students. The act of artistic creation is critical to students’ biological, emotional, and cognitive development.

Q: How do I get started?
A: Visit the NYS Arts Learning Standards, NYS Learning Standards online for information about the arts and academic area you would like to integrate with the arts. Then meet with fellow teachers to discuss the difficulties they have encountered in teaching certain topics to their students. This is the first step in brainstorming for ideas on content to integrate with the arts.

Q: Where do I get money to pay a teaching artist?
A: Apply for a grant through the Coalition of Arts Providers for Children (CAPC) online. They provide grants up to $2500 for any cultural organization, public or private pre-K through grade 12 school in Erie and Niagara Counties.

Q: Are there any Arts Integration success stories?
A: City Voices, City Visions Project is a partnership between the University at Buffalo and the Buffalo Public Schools, provides teachers in Grades 6-12 with innovative approaches to integrating digital video arts and communication technologies into the curriculum to better enable students to achieve challenging academic standards.

Q: Who can I contact to find out more about Arts Integration?
A: Visit (MUSE) Musicians United for Superior Education, Inc.