Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is an essential element of a complete and well-rounded education for all students; Whereas arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success nationwide as well as personal growth outside the classroom; Whereas the nonprofit arts sector is an economic engine and plays a significant role in the economic health of communities large and small with direct expenditures of wages and benefits as well as goods and services; Whereas to succeed in today’s economy, students must masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to communicate; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning impacts over 5,000,000 schoolchildren annually with valuable arts-in-education programs; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning presents more than 80,000 arts-in-education programs to students and teachers; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning works with over 4,600 professional teaching artists; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning produces programs in more than 8,300 schools and community centers annually; Whereas Young Audiences Arts for Learning encompasses 30 affiliates across the country and the entire network of YA affiliates is participating in the 2017 National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Weeks; Whereas Alliance Arts for Learning Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, provided 300 performances, workshops, and residencies to 10,000 students; Whereas Arkansas Learning through the Arts joined the Young Audiences Arts for Learning network to better serve the students throughout the State of Arkansas; Whereas Arts Council of Kern/Arts for Learning in Bakersfield, California, reached students in schools throughout Kern County