The Arts are not Fluff: Understanding the Barriers to Art Education in Utah

Throughout the history of the American public education system, arts-based curriculum has often been regarded as less critical to a child's education than empirical subjects like math, science, and literacy. With an increased focus on positivism, standardized testing, and educational budget cuts, schools across the nation, have seen drastic cuts to their art education programming. Although these factors also affect Utah schools, little research has been done on the barriers to art education in Utah. Through semi-structured interviews and digital stories from teachers, artists, and organizations working to in art education across the state, this research outlines the specific barriers K-12 art education programs face in Utah. Along with the national barriers, Utah also faces further barriers including unsupportive administrators and teachers, collaboration deficiencies, a focus on STEM education, increased ESL programming, and misinterpretations of the Utah Core Curriculum. Recommendations to overcoming these barriers include increasing advocacy and research on the benefits of art education, broadening collaboration efforts among organizations, artists, and schools, and expanding funding and support for art education programs across the state