An impressive 89% of Americans believe that the arts are important enough to be taught in schools, and that it fulfills an important role in a well-rounded education. And they are right; studies show far-reaching benefits of an arts education: * The arts teach kids to be more tolerant and open. * The arts allow kids to express themselves creatively. * The arts promote individuality, bolster self-confidence, and improve overall academic performance. * The arts can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to delinquent behavior and truancy while providing an improved attitude towards school. Unfortunately, the truth is that the average kid spends more time at their locker than in arts classes.