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WHEREAS, the arts, including dance, music, theatre, and visual arts and media, is included in the federal and state legislation's definition of a well-rounded education; and,
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has created arts learning standards and requires districts to assess students in the arts to ensure proficiency in the standards; and,
WHEREAS, learning in and through the arts enables students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as imagination and creativity, multiplies ways to communicate and convey emotions and ideas, and creates cross-cultural connections and empathy, which support academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth in the classroom and community; and,
WHEREAS, the arts can transform schools into havens of creativity and exploration, allow for counternarratives in order to learn from them, cultivate and empower youth culture, and build upon social justice, identification, and representation; and,
WHEREAS, the arts provide extensions beyond the classroom to experience a wide variety of artistic opportunities including showcasing arts learning in public venues, working with professional artists from arts and cultural organizations, and experiencing the real-world arts through field trips; and,
WHEREAS, the arts require sustenance in order to survive and thrive; contributions and dedication of arts educators and advocates across the City continue to broaden and strengthen equitable access to arts education for all students;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare March 2018 to be “Arts in Our Schools Month” in the City of Pittsburgh.