(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Arts Ed NJ is a diverse group of statewide partners who believe in and advocate for a well-rounded education that includes dance, media, music, theater, and visual arts - all to benefit and impact the creative leaders of tomorrow! March is widely known as "Arts in Our Schools Month," an annual celebration originally proclaimed by the U.S. Department of Education that showcases the accomplishments of students in dance, music, theater and the visual arts nationwide.

In support of this, Arts Ed NJ, is actively “Marching Together” with its partners to lend support to activities showcasing accomplishments and supporting youth artists’ voices including Theatre in Our Schools Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Art Month (Visual Arts) and Dance in Our Schools Month that includes the annual NJ High School Dance Fest. While the arts were particularly hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, this month's celebration demonstrates the sheer resilience of the arts community, marking the first time in three years that some schools across New Jersey are hosting in person events.

As a statewide community, they are committed to increasing participation and the impact of arts education for every student, in every school, every day in New Jersey. Arts Ed NJ's collective impact movement #ArtsEdNow aims to increase participation in arts education in all schools in New Jersey. The movement helps build skills and provides personalized advocacy toolkits and practice opportunities – while sharing knowledge, experience, and peer support. The online Action Hub, Action Lab workshops, and other resources bring it all together in one central spot so students, parents, and other stakeholders can leverage and empower local champions. 

Arts Ed NJ celebrated international #SELDay on Friday, March 10, with the release of Arts Ed NJ’s Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning publication Heart of the Arts Collection One: Artistic SEL Foundations. This inaugural collection brings together expert SEL practitioners and diverse perspectives to define Artistic SEL in precise and accessible language, provides practical examples of high impact practices, and illuminates models for effective implementation. Collectively, the Heart of the Arts Collection represents a resource to broadly conceive, clarify, and advocate for how Artistic SEL can deepen and enrich arts education and education more broadly.

“We know arts education has the power to transform lives,” said Arts Ed NJ Executive Director, Wendy Liscow. “We see it every day in classrooms, schools, districts, and communities. Let’s all March Together to ensure every young person has the opportunity to participate in all arts disciplines at school. With strong arts education that incorporates culturally responsive, healing-centered, and SEL-informed practices, our next generation of young people will build an innovative and creative future for our state.”

Follow the live feed of the thousands of people rallying around the #ArtsEdNow and #MarchTogether hashtags on social media @ArtsEdNJ and explore the hundreds of exciting ways people are celebrating Arts in Our Schools Month.

For more information about Arts in Our Schools Month activities, click here.