Dear Parents for the Arts Members: As the parent of a fourth-grader who loves the arts, I am delighted to have been asked to serve as the volunteer chair for the inaugural year of Parents for the Arts at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. I have seen firsthand how a child’s involvement with the arts can positively impact self esteem, creativity and personal growth, and I truly believe that the arts are an important part of every child's education. Schools and communities need encouragement to make the arts available to our children. Whether at our own child’s school or on a broader level, we parents can do so much to make a difference by working together to advocate for a complete education that includes the skills and enrichment that can best be delivered through the arts.  Soon, we will be contacting those who have expressed an interest in serving on a steering committee to set our first meeting. We will also enlist participation from some of our local educators and arts organizations so that we can get a complete picture of the issues involved. The potential of this group is very exciting.Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your chair this first year - I look forward to a great start for this very important program. Sincerely,   Jennifer Jordan-Lock

Don’t Settle for ½ an Education for Your Child
WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

• Simply stated, research shows that an education rich in the arts can greatly boost a child’s achievement in academics, skills for leadership, and interest in school.
• The arts have proven to be a major factor in better testing scores and the production of more creative and competitive candidates in the workforce of the future.
• In 2001 congress deemed the arts to be part of the core K-12 education curriculum.
• The arts are vital to developing the total child, yet a 2008 Center On Education Policy study found that there has been a 22% decline in the time devoted to art and music instruction in most public schools.

THERE IS HOPE
Local arts organizations and educators work hard to fill the void left in the educational system. Through collaborative programming, a wide-range of rich arts experiences are available to schools. Sometimes the obstacles to these opportunities are funding. Often, however, they are internal challenges associated with obtaining permission and organizing experiences both in the school and out in the community.

YOU CAN HELP We believe that parents and guardians have the right…and the power…to ensure that children receive an education that includes the arts. We invite you to become a member of Parents For The Arts (PFA), an initiative of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation’s ARTSBRIDGE Education Program. At no charge, PFA will provide you with easy access to resources and information on the importance of arts education. If you wish to become involved in actively working to address the issue, PFA will give you tools to advocate for the arts in your child’s school. We’ll connect you to other parents in your school and school district, so that you can work together to support education for your children that includes arts opportunities.  I’M SO BUSY… Your involvement may simply take the form of staying in touch with research so that you can communicate it to others, or it may include you becoming an advocate for the arts in your community. It is up to you to determine the best way that you can become a part of a growing movement to assure that all of Georgia’s children receive a top-quality education that includes the arts. We believe that parents are able to truly shape the future of education if given the resources and support. Whatever your level of participation, we invite you join other parents who, like yourself, expect every child to receive more than ½ an education. Click Here! To Join Parents For The Arts!  WEB RESOURCES Useful websites to find more information about arts education:  PDF File  QUESTIONS? E-mail: education@cobbenergycentre.com or phone 770-916-2923.

MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE ARTS AND EDUCATION!  Tell Congress to support a funding level of $53 million for the Arts in Education programs within the U.S. Department of Education. These programs support model arts collaborations with schools, teacher professional development, and arts programs for at-risk youth.  -Click here to go to the website for Americans For The Arts where you can take action!