Mayor Wilson proclaims September 14-20, 2025, to be Arts in Education Week

In accordance with this acknowledgement, we recognize:

Whereas, arts education increases student and family school engagement, promotes community connection, and increases school attendance; and

Whereas, arts education, including dance, music, theater, visual, and media arts, is an integral part of a well-rounded education; and

Whereas, arts are central to the human experience and access in the elementary years allows for more equitable participation in middle and high school; and

Whereas, arts education allows students varied ways to develop and express their understanding of the world; and

Whereas, a full arts education includes in-school instruction with certified arts teachers, arts integration, and experiences with community arts providers and teaching artists; and

Whereas, the future of Portland’s ingenuity, creative economy, and the vitality of its cultural and economic landscape depends on our City’s children developing their own creative thinking through access to arts education; and

Whereas, the arts are a fundamental component of a healthy society—one that provides benefits to the individual, community, and the nation; and

Whereas, access to arts education is often reduced during times of budget constraint and must be protected by community members; and

Whereas, The Arts Access Fund, funded by Portlanders through the Arts Tax, has been guaranteeing access to an arts education for every public elementary student in Portland since the 2013-14 school year; and

Whereas, The United States Congress has declared the second Sunday of September be designated as Arts in Education Week and encourages governors, mayors and other elected officials to do the same;

Now, therefore, I, Keith Wilson, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim September 14-20, 2025 to be Arts in Education Week in Portland and encourage all its residents to celebrate this week.