Funds for the Imagination Deals with supporting more funding for the arts in the public school system.

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Fund$ for the Imagination

Many public schools have significantly reduced or completely cut funding for art education programs. States have cut their arts budgets by $93 million in the past two years. Art education budgets could reach the lowest in a decade.(Newsweek) In President Bush's 2004-2005 budget proposal, 38 education programs were "slated for extinction", including a $35 million Arts in Education program. (Fram AP)

Officials at state or city levels may feel the need for art education is not as significant as the need for more academic based programs like mathematics, history and science. School officials believe that students must prepare and become accustomed to standardized testing to prepare them for higher education and their future. "History is basic, and art history is part of history, but, by itself, art history is not to be considered a requirement." (qtd. in McLennan) The "real world" is not always composed of multiple choice questions, and rarely is there a certain right or wrong answer.

Students who participate in art programs apply acquired thinking skills learned through art, to exceed in standardized testing as well as many other subjects in school, and life practices in general. Public school systems should apply more funds for art education programs because, art education helps students develop thinking, social, and personal skills that help develop leadership, responsibility, and integrity in everything they do.

Art education and participation is one of the most powerful ways to make and keep bonds between parents and teachers in a child's education. Art programs and education help communities grow by offering low-income, or under-privileged children a chance to participate in activities they normally wouldn't be able to. With children involved in such programs, they become active in their community and help reduce social problems such as drug abuse and violence. Learning...