New Policy Briefing Paper on State of Arts Education in Colorado

A group of students in purple shirts play drums. Overlaid text highlights the need for arts education policies to support arts learning for Colorado’s 881,000 public school students.

Think 360 Arts for Learning and Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) have authored a new policy briefing paper entitled, “The State of Arts Education in Colorado Public Schools Grades Pre-K – 12.” It was published in December 2025.

READ THE PAPER

The purpose of this paper is to inform state and local policymakers and the public of the status of arts education in Colorado public schools Pre-K through Grade 12 and to recommend overarching policy initiatives that will enable greater accountability and ensure quality, equity, and access for all students. It also provides a picture of the value and benefits, historic and current policy landscape, funding realities, and structural barriers to arts education in Colorado.

What Colorado schools need now is an examination of public policy initiatives that will support quality arts education programs and enable access to arts learning for all of Colorado’s 881,000 public school students.

The rationale for the paper is threefold: 1) “Sustained Arts Learning” was one of four top strategic priorities in Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework, unveiled by CBCA in November 2024; 2) A recent study commissioned by Think 360 finds a continued decline in the number of credentialed arts educators across the state; and 3) Unlike 48 other states, Colorado does not collect data on course-level offerings in the arts across all districts or data on student participation in the arts (dance, music, theatre, visual arts). More data is needed to understand the full scope of the arts education landscape in Colorado and to better ensure access and equity.

Think 360 Arts and CBCA recommend a broad policy initiative that will support the essential role of the arts in improving student achievement and well-being, developing Colorado’s creative industries, and building a workforce capable of competing in a knowledge-based global economy. Policy recommendations are in the following categories:

  • Recognition of Value
  • Access and Equity
  • Accountability
  • Implementation Support Systems
  • Teacher Preparation

Implementing these policies will require a robust multi-phased, multi-faceted dynamic approach in concert with policymakers, stakeholders, and practitioners. Read the full paper to learn more.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

THINK 360 ARTS FOR LEARNING

Think 360 Arts for Learning is Colorado’s leading provider of K–12 arts education, integrating visual, performing, digital, and literary arts into classrooms and communities statewide. Since 1963, the organization has partnered with professional teaching artists to expand creative learning, strengthen school communities, and advance equity in education. Through its programs, Think 360 Arts engages students, educators, and families in the transformative power of the arts. Learn more at think360arts.org

COLORADO BUSINESS COMMITTEE FOR THE ARTS

Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) is a nonprofit that advances Colorado’s creative economy by connecting arts and business. Since 1985, CBCA has been forging inspiring arts and business partnerships through advocacy, research, leadership development, training, volunteerism and arts engagement. CBCA envisions a Colorado where arts and business are integrated to catalyze and build strong and vibrant communities. Learn more at cbca.org