Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza released the 2018-19 annual Arts in Schools Report and announced a record $447 million citywide investment in arts education, up $14 million from the 2017-18 school year, and from $336 million at the start of this administration in 2013-14. The $111 million increase in annual citywide arts education spending under this administration includes school-based spending, as well as the administration’s annual $23 million investment to expand programming, renovate arts spaces, and hire new teachers, which began in the 2014-15 school year.

Other highlights from the 2018-19 Arts in Schools Report include:

• A record 2,849 full-time certified arts teachers in New York City schools, representing a 19 percent increase from 2013-14
• Approximately 5,000 teachers, school leaders, and arts education liaisons participating in a comprehensive arts professional learning series designed to support Equity and Excellence for All

“New York City has a rich history of developing and inspiring the next generation of world-class artists – from dancers and actors, to musicians and visual artists,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “A strong arts program is crucial to a robust, well-rounded education, which is why we continue to increase our investment in the arts for every child in every neighborhood.”

“Our students are incredibly talented, and with a high-quality arts education, we have the opportunity to cultivate a passion or a career,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “Whether our students are learning a new musical instrument, painting a canvas, or rehearsing for a play, arts education has a powerful role in teaching them to think critically and creatively and is linked to improved math and English proficiency. This is deeply personal to me—the arts changed my life—and I am proud of the record investments we’ve made to bring the arts to New York City public schools.”

Under this administration, New York City has increased the number of full-time certified arts teachers citywide by 456 teachers over the last six years. In 2017-18, the DOE had 2,837 full-time teachers serving students in grades pre-K through 12, up from 2,770 in the previous year, and 2,393 in 2013-14.

Over the course of the 2018-19 school year, approximately 5,000 teachers and school leaders participated in professional learning in a wide range of rigorous settings. These include the Shubert Arts Leadership Institute for principals and assistant principals, Arts Monday, and the Connected Learning Communities federal grant. All professional learning is aligned to advance equity and excellence in the arts for students citywide.

Beginning this school year as part of the administration’s Strategic Art Plan, 15 Staten Island (District 31) elementary school teachers who currently teach dance, music, theater or visual arts and do not hold a certification are able to participate in the Accelerated Arts Teacher Certification Program for free. These teachers receive free tuition and testing fees to support them in gaining their Supplemental Arts Certification from the College of Staten Island on an expedited timeline. The pilot comes as the administration continues to invest in our arts teachers and focus on increasing the number of full-time certified arts teachers in New York City schools.

The DOE continues to advance equity for Multilingual Learners and students with disabilities through partnership grants, including Arts for English Language Learners and Students with Disabilities. These grants grew to serve 303 schools in 2018-19 – with approximately 62 arts organizations providing services – up from 76 schools when the grants were launched in 2014-15.

The 2018-19 Arts in Schools Report also highlights a number of new and expanded arts initiatives that are reaching students across all five boroughs: family engagement activities including Borough Art Festivals, High School Audition and Application Workshops, and additional professional development for arts educators. During summer 2019, the DOE served 292 students through the Middle School Arts Audition Boot Camp, up from 252 the previous year and 98 in summer 2014. Sponsored by the DOE and hosted by Lincoln Center Education, the Audition Boot Camp provides intensive support and targeted training to students auditioning for and applying to arts-based high schools in New York City. The program works to level the playing field by helping students from Title I middle schools prepare for auditions at competitive arts high schools. 

Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our schools are starting earlier – free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier – Universal Literacy so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra. They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, including Equity & Excellence for All: Diversity in New York City Public Schools are central to this pathway.