Act One fills an education equity gap
For most Arizona schools, the arts fall into the “extra” category. While some Arizona school districts and schools continue to integrate the arts into their curricula, others have reduced or cut arts programs in the face of tightened budgets and testing requirements. For students — especially those in schools that have a high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch — this means no field trips and no specific arts classes.
156,920
Have attended Act One Field Trips
Since we were founded in 2011, Act One has brought nearly 157,000 students and their chaperones from Title 1 schools on educational arts field trips. In 2017-18, 37,976 students attended Act One field trips.
The Importance of Arts in Education
For hundreds of thousands of Arizona students, arts field trips have disappeared from their school days. Many Title 1 schools where most of the student body receives free/reduced lunch don’t have budgets to transport students to arts venues or funds to pay for tickets. This creates an equity gap among students whose schools can afford these experiences and those who are unable to attend field trips to museums, theater productions and music performances. Studies show that the arts enhance learning, and field trips open worlds to students they may not otherwise ever encounter.
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“Act One occupies a unique space at the intersection of arts and education by providing access to the arts for Title 1 kids who could not otherwise attend these programs … The bottom line for me is it’s all about equity. I and my children were fortunate to be able to experience the arts as part of our educational development. I want all children to have the same opportunities.”
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Culture Pass Arts Partners
Fifty-seven Culture Pass arts partners generously provide more than 500,000 opportunities for people to visit museums and attend performances in Metro Phoenix, Tucson and Northern Arizona.
Culture Pass: Giving Access to the Arts for All
For many Arizona families, going to a museum or seeing a play seems beyond their reach due to the cost of tickets. But through the Act One Culture Pass, arts organizations have generously given free admission passes to the community, providing an opportunity for everyone with a library card the chance to experience the arts.
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