Arts Education

Arts access is proven to increase test scores, improve attendance, increase graduation rates, and reduce crimes, yet, access to arts programs decreases as students reach middle and high school. Learn about programs championing arts integration for all, and how you can advocate for arts access for every student throughout their primary and secondary education.

Local Arts Integration Programs

A+ Schools

A+ Schools of North Carolina is a whole-school transformation model that views the arts as fundamental to teaching and learning. Our schools develop a creative culture in which the state’s mandated curriculum is taught through collaboration and multidisciplinary integration, with the arts continuously woven into every child’s learning experience. Learn More>>

Kennedy Center Partner in Education Programs

LEAF Community Arts as a team with Buncombe County Schools (BCS) are John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – Partners in Education Program. The SHARED purpose of LEAF and BCS as Kennedy Center – Partners in Education is to support teaching and learning by modeling the value of the arts integration and global awareness in all areas of education for lifelong, continued, and relevant learning. Learn More>>

TAPAS

TAPAS (Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools) is an arts-integration program that implements high quality artist residencies to create craft and performance experiences across all curriculum. Learn More>>

Teacher, Parent, & Student Resources

Learn at the Museum - Asheville Art Museum

The Museum invites students and teachers to investigate the important role that art plays in life and learning through its student and teacher programs.

Student Matinees

Our Student Matinee performances are exciting and inspiring – they are a great way for your students to experience live theatre!

Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra - Asheville Symphony Orchestra

The Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra program serves more than 170 of the very best young musicians in the greater Asheville area.

Art | Black Mountain | Black Mountain Center for the Arts

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts has offered arts to the Swannanoa Valley for 20 years. We host over 30 classes a week, plays, concerts, special events, gallery exhibitions, and more.

Bright Star Touring Company - Bright Star Theatre

America’s Most Affordable Professional Touring We specialize in literary, curriculum and character-education based performances that are at home in any space!

Libraries - ZOOM Pass

Buncombe County Libraries have teamed up with local attractions and museums to offer free admission for library card holders with a ZOOM pass!

LEAF Global Arts Center

Locals and visitors can enjoy Classes & Workshops or our exciting educational Field Tripsfocused on experiences rooted in music, art, community and culture.

LEAF Schools & Streets

LEAF Schools & Streets cultural arts programs use the arts to bridge cultures and create life-affirming, community building experiences – empowering our youth to become global citizens, leaders and agents of positive change.

Roots & Wings | connecting the ANDs Outreach

connecting the ANDs community classes bring weekly or monthly art and design programming to various Asheville after-school partners and nonprofit organizations.

Asheville Urban Trail

The Asheville Urban Trail is a walking tour of the city’s history. With the help of a map, walk 1.7 miles to 30 stations, each with a piece of art and a bronze plaque that commemorates the city’s most significant cultural, educational, social and architecture stories.

Matinee Series for Students and Families

The Matinee Series at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is open to school groups, homeschoolers, community groups, and families.

State Initiatives & Resources

Comprehensive Arts Education

Comprehensive Arts Education (CAE) is a multi-faceted approach to arts education as an integral part of the sound basic education that is the right of every child in North Carolina.

NC Classroom Size and Arts Education

Arts NC has been active on the issue of K-3 classroom size requirements and how it relates to Arts Education (visual, music, theatre, dance) with purposeful advocacy and strategic alliances.

Arts Graduation Requirement

Arts NC has been working to establish a single arts credit requirement for graduation from high school in North Carolina for over a decade.

Learn more about these initiatives and the work being done at the state level by visiting the Arts NC Arts Education page.

Arts Education Data Project

The purpose of the North Carolina Arts Education Data Project is to provide data specifically attributed to Arts Education to support discussions of arts education programming, access, and opportunities for all students in K-12 across North Carolina Public Schools.

Federal Initiatives & Resources

Engaging the Arts in 2020’s Top Education Policy Priorities

Of six trending education policy topics we will likely see in 2020, the arts were not listed among the top education issues—but they can still be a critical part of the dialogue.