1. Contribute to the Create Texas campaign and spread the word.
2. Tell your child’s teacher, principal, and school leadership that the arts are an integral part of a quality education.
3. Find out if your school has sufficient resources for arts education.  If not, offer to help.
4. Contact your local arts organizations to inquire about the arts education programs they offer.  Volunteer to donate time, supplies or help with their advocacy efforts and connect these services to your child's school.
5. Attend a school board or PTA meeting and voice your support for the arts and make sure the arts are adequately funded as part of the core curriculum.
6. Contact your elected officials to ask them for more arts funding.
7. Join Texans for the Arts, the Official Arts Advocacy Organization for Texas, and participate in a coordinated grassroots advocacy effort to increase public funding for the arts.
8. Participate in your local arts advocacy programs.
9. Explore your child’s dreams and encourage them to become the best they can be through the arts.
10. Sing, play music, read a book, dance or draw with your child at home. Find out about attending local arts events in your newspaper.

"I believe the arts must be an integral part of a well-rounded education in order for children to truly realize their potential in this world.  The earlier we can introduce children to the arts, the better."

- Jack S. Blanton, Sr., Co-Chair, Founders for the Arts

Ojeda Junior High School students checking out instruments from a Caribbean Ensemble.  Photo by Mark Rutkowski.