Dear Editor: The arts are proven to help close the achievement gap. The collection of research described in Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development finds that learning in the arts may be uniquely able to boost learning and achievement for young children, students from economically disadvantaged circumstances, and students needing remedial instruction.

The No Child Left Behind Act recognizes the arts as a core academic subject, making them eligible for inclusion in broad categories such as teacher training, school reform, and technology. However, recent studies have shown that some schools are neglecting arts education in favor of other core subjects such as math and science.

President Obama’s arts platform statement included support for arts education, stating that: "In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education."

Arts Education helps prepare a creative workforce. According to a 2007 Conference Board report "Ready to Innovate," there is overwhelming support from school superintendents (98 percent) and corporate leaders (96 percent) that creativity is of increasing importance to the U.S. workforce.