Arts Education for All Act
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici
Introduced
Summary
Makes arts education a core, accountable part of early childhood and K–12 learning. This bill would embed arts across federal education laws and programs to expand access, strengthen teacher pathways, link arts to afterschool and juvenile justice services, and require new research and national assessment of arts instruction.
Show full summary
- Students and families would see expanded arts offerings from early childhood through grades 6–12, with standards-based, sequential instruction and required reporting on participation and access for low-income students, English learners, students with disabilities, and students of color.
- Educators and schools would face new plan and reporting requirements that list arts course offerings, pupil-to-teacher ratios, instructional time, and teacher certification. The bill would fund subgrants and professional development to create rigorous certification pathways and increase qualified arts educators.
- Community programs, afterschool centers, and juvenile justice systems would be encouraged to partner with arts organizations to support creative youth development and reentry efforts. The bill would also authorize large-scale research and require the National Assessment of Educational Progress to include an arts assessment at the same grades and frequency as other subjects.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Afterschool programs partner with arts groups
If enacted, 21st Century Community Learning Centers could partner directly with arts nonprofits. Programs could use these groups to run afterschool arts activities and staff could get arts-related training. This would take effect upon enactment.
More arts training for child care
If enacted, child care providers would get training on development strategies that include the arts. Training would also cover nutrition and healthy screen time. Providers serving priority groups and children with disabilities would get specialized training. These updates would take effect upon enactment and guide program expectations nationwide.
More national data and research on arts
Federal education surveys would add data on arts access and integration. The government would fund large, peer-reviewed studies to learn what arts teaching works and at what cost. The National Assessment would include arts again at least as often and in the same grades as before July 24, 2021. These steps would give schools and families better information.
States and districts add arts plans
The bill would require states and districts to spell out how they will support arts learning. Districts would provide training for arts teachers and help other teachers use arts in core subjects. State report cards would add arts data like course offerings, class size, time spent, and shares by school poverty level. Schools in improvement would evaluate arts offerings and staff credentials and adjust based on the results.
Arts access for neglected and delinquent youth
If enacted, education programs for neglected and delinquent youth could include arts classes and activities. If your child is in one of these programs, they could get arts as part of services. This would take effect upon enactment.
Help to become certified arts teachers
Local school grants could be used to build pathways to arts teacher certification. If enacted, districts could fund training and prep to help people qualify as arts teachers. This would take effect upon enactment.
Arts in juvenile justice and reentry
State juvenile justice plans would need to coordinate with arts agencies and organizations. Reentry courts and offender projects could use arts education to support reentry, reduce repeat offenses, and connect people to school and jobs. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici
OR • D
Cosponsors
Bacon
NE • R
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Leger Fernandez
NM • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Salinas
OR • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Ross
NC • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Foushee
NC • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Nadler
NY • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Bynum
OR • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Beatty
OH • D
Sponsored 9/17/2025
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Raskin
MD • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Dexter
OR • D
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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