Budget cuts, economic recessions, and shifting priorities have gutted arts education from our public schools over the last decade. From performing arts like band, orchestra, and theater to visual arts like photography, drawing, and ceramics, this coursework is critical to fostering creativity and inspiring the next generation to reshape American art.
The F. M. Kirby Foundation recognizes the transformative power of the arts in early education, curricula that not only enrich students’ learning experiences, but also encourage critical thinking and emotional expression. Through exposure to both visual and performing arts, students develop a deeper understanding of culture and the creative pioneers who help shape it, while building skills that extend beyond the classroom. The Foundation partners with organizations that help students connect with the arts, empowering them to become well-rounded, imaginative, and resilient individuals prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.
Many districts in underserved communities lack access to the resources needed to establish or maintain arts programming. Focusing on Grade 4, North Carolina Arts in Action is helping bridge the inequitable divide by making dance programs with live music available to students, regardless of socio-economic status, in Orange, Durham, Wake and Chatham Counties. They provide four-month residencies to children attending Title I schools with the goal of reaching 3,500 students annually. They believe dance, music, and performance have a unique ability to “instill self-esteem, perseverance, and excellence in children.” By offering a dynamic curriculum that connects the arts to core subjects like math, language arts, and social studies, the program not only enhances students’ creative skills, but reinforces their academic knowledge as well, making learning both fun and impactful.
“Placing the arts at the center of children’s lives is essential to their development,” said Marlon Torres, Executive Director at North Carolina Arts in Action. “By providing our program during the school day and giving it equal standing with academics, NC AIA ensures that no aspect of a student’s identity is a barrier to participation in arts education.”
In 2025, North Carolina Arts in Action will celebrate 20 years of transforming students’ lives — two decades of results that underscore the vital role arts education plays in shaping well-rounded individuals. Studies have shown that increased exposure to the arts boosts academic performance, increases self-confidence, and promotes student-to-student collaboration. These benefits underscore the belief that access to the arts should be a fundamental component of every child’s education, regardless of their background. The Foundation is proud to have partnered with North Carolina Arts in Action for 10 years.
Another partner organization has been enriching students’ lives through music, visual arts, and cultural programming in Morris County for more than 50 years. By providing access to high-quality arts education, Morris Arts ensures that all students can explore their creative potential and gain a deeper appreciation for the arts.
The organization’s Artist Residency Program brings professional artists into 30 Morris County schools, working directly with nearly 4,000 students on long-term creative projects. These residencies, which can span two to six weeks, immerse students in hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences, including visual arts, music, poetry, theater, dance, and more. Through collaborating with artists, students refine their technical skills and develop a deeper understanding of the creative process. The program has been instrumental in helping students build confidence and discover their artistic potential.
“Our arts education programs are designed to engage the hearts, minds, and imaginations of children,” said Tom Werder, Executive Director at Morris Arts. “We always seek to bring the most engaging and beneficial artist residencies to the children and families we serve.”
The impact of their work is evident in the growing arts community within Morris County. The Foundation is happy to have partnered with Morris Arts since the organization’s inception in 1974.
In addition to the work of Morris Arts, Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania takes a regional approach to bringing professional artists directly into the classroom. With a wide range of programs that include live performances, hands-on workshops, and artist-in-residence experiences, Young Audiences helps ignite students’ passion for the arts, while enhancing their academic and social development.
“Arts education is vital to life and learning for children,” said Michele Russo, President & CEO of Young Audiences of New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania. “In our 50 years in the field, we know that arts learning experiences led by professional teaching artists are a catalyst for growth — children connect with others, build their confidence, experiment and create, and connect with culture within and outside the school building. With funding reductions in education and philanthropy, the Kirby Foundation’s steadfast support of arts education is critical for our students to expand their learning through the arts.”
Since its founding in 1973, Young Audiences has played a vital role in championing arts education in schools across the region. In Morris County, Young Audiences is overseeing 12 performances and assemblies annually, reaching 3,500 students. Across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania, they’re helping more than 365,000 students (about half the population of Vermont) experience teaching artist-led arts engagements in dance, music, theater, and visual and literary art. The Foundation has partnered with Young Audiences since 2022 to support its programming in Morris County.
Organizations like North Carolina Arts in Action, Morris Arts, and Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania highlight the critical importance of maintaining and expanding access to arts education. The myriad programs offered by these nonprofits not only promote creativity, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world around students. By bringing professional artists into schools and providing students with hands-on, immersive arts experiences, these organizations also ensure that the arts remain a vital component of education, especially in underserved communities where such opportunities might otherwise be scarce.
