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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Arts education, comprising a rich array of
3disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts,
4literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject
5and an essential element of a complete and balanced education
6for all students; and
 
7    WHEREAS, According to Albert Einstein, "After a certain
8high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend
9to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest
10scientists are artists as well."; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Arts education enables students to develop
12critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and
13creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and
14express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding,
15which supports academic success across the curriculum and
16personal growth outside the classroom; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The non-profit arts sector is an economic engine
18and plays a significant role in the economic health of
19communities large and small with direct expenditures of wages
20and benefits and in goods and services; and
 
21    WHEREAS, To succeed in today's economy, students must

 

 

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1masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to
2communicate; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The arts provide the skills and knowledge students
4need to develop the creativity and determination necessary for
5success in the global information age; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Where schools and communities are delivering high
7quality learning opportunities in, through, and about the arts
8for children, extraordinary results occur; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Studies have found that 8th graders from
10under-resourced environments who are highly involved in the
11arts have better grades, less likelihood of dropping out by
12grade 10, have more positive attitudes about school, and are
13more likely to go to college; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Attracting and retaining the best teachers is
15vital and can be achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the
16arts, becoming havens for creativity and innovation; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Arts education has the power to make students want
18to learn not just within the arts, but other areas of study;
19therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

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1NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2call upon the Governor to remember the importance of the arts
3throughout the budgeting process; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That we call upon elected officials and schools
5throughout the State of Illinois to maintain art programs; and
6be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8delivered to the Governor.