Austin Teams with The Kennedy Center to Enrich The Arts

Arts education in Austin will soon get a bit of a boost, as The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts recently announced that Austin will be the seventh partner city to join in its Any Given Child Program. The program is one designed to build structure and long term success in the cities it touches by creating a dialogue between Kennedy Center staff and community and school district leaders. The conversation analyzes the best way to leverage the resources of the school district, local arts groups, and the Kennedy Center to create the most beneficial and affordable arts program possible for students in grades K-8. The end goal is to “bring access, balance, and equity to each child’s art education.”

Austin is clearly a city that would not be the same if it weren’t for the arts, from its intriguing public art all over downtown Austin to more highbrow art and theater in places like One World Theatre near the Barton Creek subdivision in west Austin. Not only do the arts enrich the lives of Austin’s residents, but creative industries also account for thousands of jobs in the area. Additionally, they contribute more long term to the region’s economy in that strong arts programs help prepare students to compete in the job market and help to develop a strong job force.

According to AISD Superintendent Maria Carstaphen, reflecting on current research regarding the arts: “Students with access to rigorous creative learning experience higher levels of academic achievement and college attainment. In fact, students who attend arts-rich schools are more than twice as likely to attend college as similar students who do not have as much access to the arts. The Kennedy Center‘s partnership provides us the support we need to make sure that any given child in our district has access to these benefits.”

Another way quality art is reflected in Austin is its homes. Designing and building beautiful homes is yet another career impacted by a child’s exposure to the arts. If you are currently looking for a beautifully designed Austin home for sale, you’ll want to touch base with Austin REALTOR® Brian Talley, who believes that where you live should be both beautiful and affordable.