The Metropolitan King County Council drew attention to the importance of arts education for the students throughout King County declaring May as Arts Education Month on May 5.

“Learning about the arts is as important to a child’s education as reading, writing, and arithmetic,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, prime sponsor of recognition. “Children with exposure to a diverse arts education grow up with the cognitive skills and ingenuity to not only enrich their community but work successfully in a variety of fields as well.”

The arts, including dance, music, theatre and visual arts, are defined as a core content area in Washington State’s definition of basic education, and are considered an essential component of a complete education that should be provided for all students. Education in the arts enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternate ways of communicating and expressing feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding—thereby supporting academic success across the curriculum, as well as personal growth outside the classroom.

“Arts Education Month is an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships in King County that encourage youth to participate in the visual, literary and performing arts” said Vice Chair Jane Hague. “The arts help them not only develop imagination and creativity but also skills in communication, critical thinking and problem solving.”

King County invests in arts and heritage education through 4Culture, a public development corporation chartered by county government to promote arts and heritage programs for all King County residents and visitors.