Why Arts Education Matters
We believe that arts education is an essential part of a well-rounded education—not a luxury. When students have access to the arts, they thrive academically, socially, and creatively. Yet, too many students in Chicago still face barriers to consistent, high-quality programs.
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64,000
students still do not have access to high-quality arts programs. These students are in predominantly under-resourced communities.
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36%
of Black CPS students have access to high-quality arts programs, compared to 43% of all CPS students.
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24%
of Non-District Managed schools (charters, contracts, some options) were rated as Excelling, compared to 43% of District-Managed schools
Advocate For Arts Education in CPS
In November 2026, Chicago voters will continue shaping the future of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) through elections for the Chicago Board of Education, following the historic transition to a fully elected school board authorized by 2021 legislation. By January 2027, the board will consist of 21 elected members, replacing the previous mayor-appointed structure.
At Ingenuity, we believe a strong, responsive school board is critical to effective governance and ensuring arts education remains a priority in CPS. As the board evolves, we remain committed to advocating for robust arts programs and supporting school leaders in championing arts education as an essential part of a well-rounded student experience. Together, we can continue navigating this transition and foster a vibrant, creative learning environment in our schools. We encourage you to engage with the board as well and utilize these essential resources for our collective advocacy work ahead:
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How are the schools in your district performing in arts education? Find out using our interactive State of the Arts (SOTA) Dashboard. This tool lets you explore Creative Schools Certification data, or the level of quality and access to arts education programs a school offers, by CPS school board district, as well as other filters, such as community area.
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Discover the history of arts education and learn more about how the newly elected school board can help shape the future of arts education in CPS. Check out our Arts Education Key Facts and Figures.
Opening Doors to Student Success
Arts education helps students thrive inside and outside the classroom. Research shows that students who engage in the arts are more likely to:
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Achieve higher test scores and improved attendance
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Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, or collaboration skills
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Show increased confidence and self-expression
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Graduate high school and pursue college or career readiness pathways
Building Stronger Schools
When schools invest in arts education, the impact goes beyond the individual student. Arts-rich schools experience:
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Higher overall student engagement
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Stronger school culture and climate
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Greater staff collaboration and retention
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More meaningful connections with families and community partners
Focused on Equity
Equity is at the core of our mission. For far too long, access to the arts has been shaped by race, income, and geography. Ingenuity works to change that—using data, funding, and policy advocacy to ensure every student has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts.
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Our State of the Arts (Report, Dashboard, and Toolkit) and artlook® platform track arts access across CPS to illuminate the current landscape and identify opportunities.
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The Creative Schools Certification is the school-level arts education indicator and serves as a shared measurement system for the district and sector since 2012-13. It informs resource allocation and drives data-informed strategies to expand equitable access to the arts.
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Through the Creative Schools Fund, we’ve supported arts education in over 600 CPS schools—helping level the playing field for thousands of students.
Hear from Students
Before the Lead Guitar program, I struggled with classical guitar and didn’t really get it. But as I kept going, I could feel myself getting better—especially when I had that extra support from my teacher. By the end of the year, I was earning better grades, and I even won the guitar challenge! It wasn’t just about playing an instrument—it was about pushing through my struggles and gaining confidence in myself. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and it’s all thanks to the support I got from this program.”
— Demetrius, 7th Grade, Robert J. Richardson Middle School, Multi-Semester Creative Schools Fund Grantee
At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a part of ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ But with encouragement from my teacher and Play in the Book, I started sharing my ideas and got more involved. I felt so proud of myself when I saw how much I had contributed. Now I’m more confident and excited to try new things. This program really helped me believe in myself and showed me how much I can do.”
— Devan, 4th Grade, Carrie Jacobs Bond Elementary School, Multi-Semester Creative Schools Fund Grantee
Before this program, I didn’t know much about West African culture, but now I can talk about it and even dance to the rhythms we’ve learned. Being part of the performance helped me feel more confident. I used to be really shy, but getting to do a solo on stage showed me I could do more than I thought. It was my first time performing by myself, and it felt amazing.”
— Antonio, 4th Grade, Irvin C. Mollison IB World Elementary School, Multi-Semester Creative Schools Fund Grantee