Advocates for Texas Arts Education Testify in Support of HB 3344

Led by Singer-Songwriter Ray Benson, Members of the Coalition Show Support for the role of Fine Arts Education in Texas Public Schools 

Austin, TX (April 23, 2019) – Legendary Texas singer-songwriter Ray Benson, along with Texas Arts Education Campaign (TAEC) Chairman Robert Floyd, and Texas Cultural Trust Program Director Jennifer Parry, today all testified in support of House Bill 3344, a bill authored by Texas State Representative John Bucy to elevate the role of fine arts education in the state’s educational curriculum. 

If approved, HB 3344 would elevate fine arts programs into the ‘Foundation’ curriculum alongside English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. HB 3344 was heard today in the House Public Education Committee.

“First, I want to commend Representative Bucy for bringing this important issue up for consideration by the Texas Legislature,” Floyd said. “This is precisely why TAEC was formed, to stress the importance of fine arts programs in educating the future of our state.” Hopefully, this marks the beginning of an ongoing, innovative discussion about the unique skills students learn from these creative arts courses.”

Benson spoke about how he began music in the 8th grade and how it has contributed to his lifelong success as a musician and Austin businessman. He testified to the committee about the need to ensure fine arts programs continue to be made available to children in the Texas public school system.

Parry pointed to recent work by the Texas Cultural Trust concerning findings that suggest there are large inequities regarding access to fine arts programs among various school districts in Texas. She urged the committee to initiate a study to help identify and address those areas of the state where inequities exist.

Floyd also provided the committee demonstrating the critical role that arts play in college/career/military readiness and support of the 60x30 Higher Education Coordinating Board goal set several years ago. Floyd said, “From the Harvard Business Review to the Scientific American to the College Board to Mark Cuban to Bill Gates to Larry Page of Google, they all profess the notion that without the skills that come from the arts and humanities a STEM-only endorsement limits performance in the workplace.”

“I think our coalition took a very important first step in calling attention to the importance of a fine arts education and the role it plays in developing the skills to compete in the workforce of the 21st Century,” Floyd added. “At the end of the day, a vibrant and equitable fine arts education will form the basis to help prepare students to maintain and strengthen our state’s economic stature,” concluded Parry.