Visit the 2015 Public Opinion Overview Page for full 2015 Report and Materials
Download the Report: Americans Speak Out About the Arts: Arts Education & Government Arts Funding, PDF
June 2016--FULL Public Opinion Poll now available: Download the FULL report: Americans Speak Out About the Arts: An In-Depth Look at Perceptions and Attitudes About the Arts in America
Visit ArtsBlog for two post from Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research and Policy at Americans for the Arts:
- The American Public Says YES to Arts Education!
- Americans Support Increases in Government Arts Funding
Download Supporting Data Tables
The highlights from the first phase of these findings include:
ARTS EDUCATION
89 percent believe the arts are part of a well-rounded education for K-12 students;
55 percent strongly agree (versus just 7 percent who disagree).
90 percent agree that it is important for K-12 students, in elementary, middle and high school,
to receive an education in the arts—including dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts
Yet, 27 percent believe that students in their community don’t have enough access to the arts,
most notably in suburban and rural communities.
GOVERNMENT ARTS FUNDING
57 percent support local—and 55 percent state—government funding
grants to artists and arts organizations.
43 percent say that current government funding level is not enough,
while only 26 percent believe that current government funding level is just right
54 percent of respondents support an increase from the current 45 cents to $1.00 per person
on federal grants to arts organizations.
36 percent say they would vote for a candidate who wanted to make this funding increase,
while an additional 35 percent said that it would not impact their vote; only 17 percent said they would vote against a candidate if they voted to increase arts funding.