In 1940, roughly one quarter of the U.S. population over age 25 had a high school diploma. Today, that same portion now holds a bachelor's degree. As the economy has evolved over the last half-century in this country, education levels have risen dramatically as businesses have sought to fill technical, scientific and managerial positions that have supplanted lower-skilled jobs. In fact, despite the fact that the nation's Gross Domestic Product is five times greater today than it was in 1947, the physical weight of our nation's economic output is the same. This is because our economy has shifted from one that produces and manufactures goods to a new economy focused on ideas, services and technologies.

As unemployment continues to remain near record lows, many states cannot provide enough workers to satisfy some industries. Technology companies, unable to fill staffing needs with U.S. workers alone, are pressuring Congress to raise the number of H1B visas (six-year visas for technology workers) from 115,000 to 200,000 a year to meet their demand. So, as businesses are considering their future, finding states with education systems that can produce skilled workers to meet their employment needs will become even more important.

Businesses believe that the arts are an important component in building a well-educated workforce. According to a national survey, 58 percent of businesses (and 76 percent of large businesses) say that their arts support is essential to educating children in their communities.

State and local governments support arts programs in schools because they, too, recognize that the arts are vital to a complete education. It is well documented that including the arts in education increases student achievement and skills in other areas. In one state study, reading comprehension was shown to improve when children took drama classes in addition to their regular classes. In a study that included multiple cities, high-risk children placed in an arts program consistently scored higher in core subjects than children not placed in the program.

With a combination of public and private support for arts education, states can build a workforce that will help fill the needs of businesses, and make their communities more competitive in the new economy.

Sources:
National Survey: Business Support to the Arts 1998, Business Committee for the Arts, Inc., 1999.
Eloquent Evidence: Arts at the Core of Learning, NASAA, 1998.
"The New Economy: An Overview," National Governors' Association.
Educational Attainment in the United States, U.S. Census Bureau, March 1999.