Arts in Public Schools Across the United States, arts programs are being cut out of public school budgets. The arts include dance, band, choir, theater, film, drawing, painting, photography, and literary arts. Some school board members believe these arts programs are unnecessary and do not benefit students in any way. Elementary, middle and high school students are forced to abandon their passion and feel their talents are not supported by their schools. Although many are not aware of it, there is a strong connection between arts education and academic achievement. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts in many public schools, art classes are first on the list to be cut. It is important that students, parents, and teachers fight for their desire to keep the arts in public schools. Arts programs in public schools are essential to the development of young minds; therefore school boards should strengthen and improve programs and should not cut funding or force a lesson to be discontinued. There are many positive aspects associated with the arts and it is important that people are aware of these benefits. According to Smithrim and Opitis, “benefits reported to the arts include the development of imagination (Greene, 1995), greater motivation to learn (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997), greater student creativity, lower dropout rates, and greater social skills ( Catterall, 1998). Luftig, 1995)” (110). These advantages can perhaps prepare a student for a very successful life. They should be embraced and used rather than overlooked and unmentioned. Girls and boys who have taken or are taking courses within the art department are proven to have a higher success rate in their core academic classes. According to “...... half of the document ...... tness and Cognitive Health Authority: market research and consultancy services. April 16, 2009. Web. April 1, 2012. .Manzo, Kathleen K. “District and Partner Coordination on Arts Education.” Education Week. Gale, June 18, 2008. Web. April 3, 2012. Smith, Fran. “Innovations in K-12 education and learning with proven strategies that work.” Eutopia. 28 January 2009. Web. 01 April 2012. .Smithrim, Katharine and Rena Upitis. “Learning through the arts: Lessons of engagement.” Canadian Journal of Education / Revue Canadienne De L'éducation. 28. Canadian Society for the Study of Education, 2005. 109-127. JSTOR. Network. April 3, 2012. "Why the Arts Matter | Americans for the Arts Action Fund." Americans for the Arts Action Fund. Network. 03 April. 2012. .