Despite Budget Cuts, New York City Arts Education Spending Rises

The New York Times (12/14, Santos, Subscription Publication) reports that according to a new report from the New York City Department of Education, arts education spending rose 2% over the last year "despite the many challenges posed by several consecutive years of budget cuts to city schools." The report states that there "were more arts teachers on schools' payrolls last year, as well as more students taking part in school-based arts programs. According to the report, based on surveys of school administrators citywide, all of the city's elementary schools offered at least one arts discipline, most commonly visual arts classes, taught by classroom teachers, arts teachers or instructors from cultural organizations."