Governor Stein Proclaims Arts in Our Schools Month

Arts In Our Schools Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, March has been designated by the National Dance Education Organization as “Dance in Our Schools Month,” by the National Association for Music Education as “Music in Our Schools Month,” by the National Theatre Association as “Theatre in Our Schools Month,” and by the Council for Art Education as “Youth Art Month,” and

Whereas, arts education is recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as essential for all students as part of a well-rounded education and includes four distinct disciplines: dance, music, theatre arts, and visual arts; and

Whereas, the arts have been part of life from the very beginning and are an inseparable part of the human journey, describing, defining, and deepening the human experience; and

Whereas, all students participating in arts education courses benefit from the skills and processes developed through the arts and apply those skills in a variety of disciplines and settings no matter their intended career path; and

Whereas, arts education contributes to each student’s development through heightened skills in listening, understanding human experiences, creative problem solving, adapting to and respecting others’ diverse ways of thinking, communicating effectively as well as analyzing nonverbal communication, reading, embracing self-expression, imagining what can be achieved, and appreciating creativity; and

Whereas, arts education innovatively ignites and engages learners personally and enhances the social and emotional morale as well as the quality of all students and all school cultures by helping develop self-confidence, boost self-reliance, and increase empathy and compassion toward oneself and others;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as “Arts In Our Schools Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fifth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.