Arts Integration is defined by the Kennedy Center as “an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an ART FORM (creative writing, dance/creative movement, drama/theatre, media arts, music, puppetry, storytelling, and visual arts). Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc.) and meets evolving objectives in both.” 

Americans for the Arts research shows that arts education increases student engagement and achievement. The arts support student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity skills. MCPS understands that the arts present an experience which engages students in a collaborative and active approach to learning. In September of 2021, the district created and approved a strategic plan that included Arts Integration as an initiative. The initiative provides Arts Integration Professional Development to teachers, pre-service teachers, school leaders and community partners to build instructional capacity for arts integration across the P-12 continuum. An arts integration committee composed of teachers, principals, community partners, and district administration met during the 22-23 school year to develop a three-year  strategic implementation plan for MCPS to ensure that all students receive arts integration instruction in the classroom.