Americans for the Arts is pleased to announce that actress Annette Bening, singer/songwriter Josh Groban, operatic mezzo-soprano Denyse Graves-Montgomery, and Syracuse University arts education professor Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr., will participate in a #BecauseofArtsEd discussion about the value of arts education for our society on September 16 at 7:00pm ET during National Arts in Education Week. Arts education leaders in Congress have been invited as well. Participation is free and registration can be completed here.

Groban commented, “The arts are not just an extracurricular. They are a vital part of the common language we need to speak in this ever-divisive country. They’re a job creator, they’re a leadership builder, and they shine a light on our common humanity. We need them in our lives, we need them in this country, and I think right now we need them more than ever.”

Donations will be accepted during the presentation, with proceeds supporting Americans for the Arts’ efforts toward equitable access to arts education for all students.

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, House Resolution 275 was passed by Congress in 2010 and designates the week beginning with the second Sunday in September as National Arts in Education Week. This year there is an increased need for awareness due to budget losses in arts education both now and in the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Annette Bening and Josh Groban are dedicated members of Americans for the Arts’ Artists Committee and I’m very pleased that they, along with Denyse Graves-Montgomery and Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr., are joining forces with Americans for the Arts and bringing their passion for arts education to National Arts in Education Week,” said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “This has been a devastatingly difficult year for the arts, and it’s more important than ever that we join in a national effort to bring visibility to the cause and celebrate the transformative power of the arts in education. As this new school year begins with many students learning from home, we felt it was important for this multi-generational conversation to honor the role of families in reinforcing the value of the arts in education. The arts are essential to a well-rounded education, and we remain committed to advancing policies which ensure equitable access to increased arts education for America’s learners at every level of learning.”

National Arts in Education Week is supported by Americans for the Arts on behalf of the field of arts education to bring visibility to the cause, unify stakeholders with a shared message, and provide the tools and resources for local leaders to advance arts education in their communities. In 2021, National Arts in Education Week will be celebrated September 12 –18.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of 60 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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