The mission of the Utah Arts Council's (UAC) Arts Education (AE) program is to demonstrate, advocate, and embody the principle that the arts are essential to the lifelong education of all Utahns.

The program is dedicated to arts education as part of the UAC's legislative mandate to "advance the arts in all their phases."  Since 1971 the AE program has worked to encourage the public's perception of art as basic to the educational process, and as important as math, science, and reading to the education of the whole individual.  We believe the arts are essential to the development of enlightened, informed, perceptive, caring, and responsible citizens. 

AE considers a well-rounded arts education program to consist of the literary arts, dance, folk arts, theater, music, storytelling, media, and visual arts in ongoing, sequential curricula from kindergarten through grade twelve.  Such studies include studio experience, history of the arts, aesthetics, and criticism.  We also believe that all students should have personal experience and involvement with folk and professional artists, members of artistic companies, and professionally created works of performing, literary, and visual arts. 

The intent of the AE program is to enrich and support arts education, not to supplant or in any way furnish a substitute for services more appropriately provided by trained and certified arts educators.  AE further seeks to support arts learning in after-school and community settings. (Click here to view UAC/AE Program Goals)

At the heart of the UAC/AE program is the belief that artists, artistic companies, and their works of art make invaluable contributions to the whole educational process.  Through our efforts, we hope to encourage the emergence of imaginative thinkers and doers who view the universe as an arena for the grandest of human endeavors.

Contact: Jean Irwin, jirwin@utah.gov, 801-236-7542