ArtsCount
ArtsCount builds upon the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts and incorporates arts metrics into the measurement of school performance, establishing accountability measures for arts programming. ArtsCount provides annual Individual Arts Reports for schools, as well as the Annual Arts in Schools Report; an aggregate system-wide arts report publication.
Setting high standards and holding schools accountable for results is the way we ensure that schools help students learn. The outline below illustrates the accountability indicators for which schools will be responsible for arts education.
For additional guidance for leaders of the arts, please visit the Arts Education Leadership Manual on WeTeachNYC. For additional questions and supports regarding ArtsCount and arts instructional requirements, leaders may reach out to their Borough Arts Director in the Office of Arts and Special Projects.
Participation in Arts Education According To New York State Education Department (NYSED) Instructional Requirements
NY State Arts Requirements
The New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Instructional Requirements for the Arts outline the continuum of educational experiences students need for their academic and social development. All New York City public schools are expected to meet the NYSED Instructional Requirements for the Arts as outlined below. These requirements are included in each school's Annual Compliance Review. The DOE uses the NYSED Instructional Requirements for the Arts as the foundation for sequential arts education instructional programs because they are developmentally appropriate and because we know that teaching and learning in these subjects is extremely beneficial for our students.
State & City Requirements and Guidelines
3K, PREK, Kindergarten: Each such school operating a 3-K, pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program shall establish and provide an educational program based on and adapted to the ages, interests, and needs of the children. Learning activities in such programs shall include dramatic play, creative art, dance and music activities.
GRADES 1-3: In grades 1 through 3, all students shall receive instruction that is designed to facilitate their attainment of the State elementary learning standards in the arts, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts. New York State Education Guidelines recommend that twenty percent of the weekly time spent in school should be allocated to dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. In New York City, arts compliance is measured at 101 hours throughout the entire school year, equally allocated between dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
GRADES 4-6: In grades 4 through 6, all students shall receive instruction that is designed to facilitate their attainment of the State elementary learning standards in the arts, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts. New York State Education Guidelines recommend that ten percent of the weekly time spent in school should be allocated to dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. In New York City, arts compliance is measured at 93 hours throughout the entire school year, equally allocated between dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
GRADES 7-8: All students shall be provided instruction designed to enable them to achieve, by the end of grade 8, State intermediate learning standards in the arts. In New York City, students will be provided with 2 one-half units (semesters) of approximately 54 hours of instruction per semester by a licensed arts teacher and may be offered in dance, music, theater and/or visual arts.
GRADES 9-12: New York State Graduation requirements for the arts include one unit (one year) in visual arts and/or music, dance, or theater. In New York City, one unit of credit is the equivalent of approximately 108 hours of instruction by a licensed arts teacher.
Availability of Arts Sequences NYSED Requirement: High schools have the option of fulfilling the graduation requirement through either ½ unit of credit (one semester each) in both visual arts and music, or one unit of credit (one year) in one of the four arts forms. All public school districts shall offer students the opportunity to complete a three- or five-unit sequence in the arts (art, music, dance or theater).
For additional support, elementary schools can use this Arts Tracking Tool for Elementary Schools.
Annual Arts in Schools Report
Under the leadership of Chancellor David C. Banks, New York City has continued to make the arts a priority for all its public schools. The arts enrich our children's lives and learning, and all students deserve the opportunity to experience a rich arts education. This focus on the arts began in 2004 with the introduction of the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts, a curriculum framework for what students should know, understand, and be able to achieve in dance, music, theater and visual arts. In 2007, building on the progress that has been made, the NYC Public Schools announced ArtsCount, an initiative designed to provide greater accountability for arts education in our schools. This Annual Arts in Schools Report shows us where we are and makes clear what we must do to provide quality arts education for every NYC public school student. This information is available both at the school level and for the entire school system.
System-Wide Report
The Annual Arts in Schools Report includes data about arts teachers, arts budgeting, space for the arts, partnerships with arts and cultural organizations, and parent involvement for elementary, middle, and high schools. The first Annual Arts in Schools Report was published in March 2008. These reports help school administrators, parents, and students understand how their schools are progressing towards offering universal arts education to all students.
Annual Arts in Schools Reports are listed below.
School Year 2023-24
School Year 2022-23
School Year 2021-22
School Year 2020-21:
School Year 2019-20:
School Year 2018-19:
School Year 2017-18:
School Year 2016-17:
Individual School Reports
The individual Annual Arts in Schools Reports provide baseline information for arts education accountability, and can help schools identify areas of success and areas that need improvement. Individual school reports can be found on the "statistics" page of each school’s website.
To download a translation guide for 2015-16 Individual Annual Arts in Schools Reports, please use the appropriate language button below:
Raw Data
To view raw data for the Annual Arts in Schools Report, please visit the Open Data Portal.