§8091. Support for arts education

(a) Findings

The Congress finds that-

(1) the arts are forms of understanding and ways of knowing that are fundamentally important to education;

(2) the arts are important to excellent education and to effective school reform;

(3) the most significant contribution of the arts to education reform is the transformation of teaching and learning;

(4) such transformation is best realized in the context of comprehensive, systemic education reform;

(5) demonstrated competency in the arts for American students is among the National Education Goals;

(6) participation in performing arts activities has proven to be an effective strategy for promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream settings;

(7) opportunities in the arts have enabled persons of all ages with disabilities to participate more fully in school and community activities;

(8) the arts can motivate at-risk students to stay in school and become active participants in the educational process; and

(9) arts education should be an integral part of the elementary and secondary school curriculum.

(b) Purposes

The purposes of this subpart are to-

(1) support systemic education reform by strengthening arts education as an integral part of the elementary and secondary school curriculum;

(2) help ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn to challenging State content standards and challenging State student performance standards in the arts; and

(3) support the national effort to enable all students to demonstrate competence in the arts in accordance with the National Education Goals.

(c) Eligible recipients

In order to carry out the purposes of this subpart, the Secretary is authorized to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with-

(1) State educational agencies;

(2) local educational agencies;

(3) institutions of higher education;

(4) museums and other cultural institutions; and

(5) other public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations.

(d) Authorized activities

Funds under this subpart may be used for-

(1) research on arts education;

(2) the development of, and dissemination of information about, model arts education programs;

(3) the development of model arts education assessments based on high standards;

(4) the development and implementation of curriculum frameworks for arts education;

(5) the development of model preservice and inservice professional development programs for arts educators and other instructional staff;

(6) supporting collaborative activities with other Federal agencies or institutions involved in arts education, such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Very Special Arts, and the National Gallery of Art;

(7) supporting model projects and programs in the performing arts for children and youth through arrangements made with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;

(8) supporting model projects and programs by Very Special Arts which assure the participation in mainstream settings in arts and education programs of individuals with disabilities;

(9) supporting model projects and programs to integrate arts education into the regular elementary and secondary school curriculum; and

(10) other activities that further the purposes of this subpart.

(e) Coordination

(1) In general

A recipient of funds under this subpart shall, to the extent possible, coordinate projects assisted under this subpart with appropriate activities of public and private cultural agencies, institutions, and organizations, including museums, arts education associations, libraries, and theaters.

(2) Special rule

In carrying out this subpart, the Secretary shall coordinate with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Very Special Arts, and the National Gallery of Art.

(f) Authorization

(1) In general

For the purpose of carrying out this subpart, there are authorized to be appropriated $11,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the four succeeding fiscal years.

(2) Special rule

If the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year is $9,000,000 or less, then such amount shall only be available to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (7) and (8) of subsection (d) of this section.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title X, §10401, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, §101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3830 ; amended Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(e) [title VII, §709(b)(3)(A)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233 , 3009-313.)

Amendments

1996-Subsecs. (d)(6), (e)(2). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted "the Institute of Museum and Library Services" for "the Institute of Museum Services".