Arts in Our Schools Month 2026: A Celebration, Committment & Call to Action

This March, the arts community in Maryland once again proudly celebrates National Arts in Our Schools Month. As we take time to celebrate the incredible educators, administrators, families, students, and advocates who make the transformative power of the arts in education possible, we also reflect on the continued collective work ahead to ensure that the arts are centered as a vital and valued part of every child’s public education.

Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee have issued a Proclamation recognizing March 2026 as National Arts in Our Schools Month in the State of Maryland. The administration has also invested in the arts by proposing to fully fund the Maryland State Arts Council in the upcoming FY27 state budget, which is currently under negotiation in the General Assembly. This proposed investment recognizes the arts sector’s significant contributions to our state’s economy, including over 86,000 jobs and nearly 3% of Maryland’s annual GDP, yielding $30 million in state and local tax revenue.

And yet, investment in the arts sector does not automatically translate to investment in arts in our schools. Many factors impact student access to the immense benefits of robust arts education. In order to protect and elevate the arts in our schools, decision-makers at every level must make intentional choices: state and local governing bodies must design revenue models that allow for full investment in the arts and our schools; education agencies, boards of education, and schools must protect staffing and scheduling that allows for students to engage in sequential learning in all subjects, inclusive of the arts; and counselors and families must recognize that the arts support college and career readiness, whether students wish to pursue a viable and worthwhile career in the arts or not.

Governor Moore’s Proclamation states: “Maryland understands the urgency of expanding access to arts education for Maryland's public school students through policies and practices, so they can access the cognitive, social, and emotional benefits of a robust arts education.” In the last few years, there has been progress and expansion of opportunities in some areas of the state while other areas have seen cuts and decreased opportunities for students. To preserve the growth and prevent further limitations, we must raise our collective voice and work collaboratively–decision-makers and community members alike–to interrogate policies and practices in support of robust access to arts education for all students. 

Arts in Our Schools Month is more than a celebration: it’s a call to action. The arts are vital to a well-rounded education. They ignite creativity, promote emotional well-being, support academic achievement, and inspire critical thinking and problem solving. Through music, theater, dance, media arts, and visual art, each discipline plays a role in developing the whole child. The Governor’s Proclamation reinforces what we’ve always known: The arts are not optional. They are foundational. As we look ahead, we remain committed to advocating for strong, well-funded arts programs in every Maryland school.