Res 0621-2026

Res. No. 621 ..Title Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.6318A/A.6490B, requiring instruction in arts and music education to be incorporated into curriculums for all public-school students ..Body By Council Members Dinowitz, Brewer, Thomas-Henry and Morano Whereas, According to an Arts in Education Roundtable analysis, New York State (“NYS”) is one of 18 states that does not consider arts a core curriculum subject; and Whereas, Numerous research studies document measured academic success and future civic engagement of students, particularly those who are at-risk, when they actively participate in arts programming; and Whereas, A recent study of Houston’s Arts Access Initiative found that randomly assigning arts educational opportunities to students reduces disciplinary infractions, improves writing achievement, and increases students’ emotional empathy; and Whereas, Prior to that, a 2012 study conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts found that along with student engagement, music and arts programming offered in schools improves participation and aids in the development of critical thinking and creative problem solving; and Whereas, A national survey found that 88 percent of Americans agree that arts instruction is a part of a well-rounded K-12 education; and Whereas, Furthermore, according to the 2023-2024 New York City (“NYC”) Annual Arts Education Survey conducted by the NYC Department of Education (“DOE”), 91% of school administrators reported that the arts were central to their school’s core instructional mission; and Whereas, While NYS Education Department regulations dictate arts and music education, it is not a statutory requirement, and as a result, during times of fiscal difficulties, school districts may look to reduce arts and music classes to achieve budgetary savings; and Whereas, The 2023-2024 NYC Annual Arts Education Survey found that 47% of schools reported that funding for the arts is generally insufficient; and Whereas, At the FY2027 Executive Budget hearing in June 2026, the NYC DOE testified that 310 schools do not currently have a dance, fine arts, music or theater teacher; and Whereas, According to NYC’s 2024-2025 Annual Arts in Schools Report required by Local Law 123 of 2013, just 31% of eighth grade students met the NYS Education Department’s requirements and guidelines for art education, which recommend students have access to at least two different arts disciplines; and Whereas, With the intent of ensuring all of New York’s school-aged children have equal access to arts and music learning opportunities, State Senator Rachel May introduced S.6318A in the NYS Senate, and Assembly Member Landon Dais introduced companion bill A.6490B in the NYS Assembly; and Whereas, Specifically, S.6318A/A.6940B amends the NYS education law to require instruction in arts and music education to be incorporated into curriculums for all public school students and require school districts to ensure that appropriately certified teachers are providing such education; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.6318A/A.6490B, requiring instruction in arts and music education to be incorporated into curriculums for all public-school students. KS LS 24391 8/17/2026 11:50 AM