New York City Public Schools Releases Annual Arts In Schools Report, Celebrates Growth In Arts Education Across The System
NEW YORK, NY – New York City Public Schools today announced the release of the Annual Arts in Schools Report, underscoring the system’s commitment to arts education by placing arts and culture at the heart of schools citywide. Since 2008, the report has served as a critical resource for tracking the progress and evolution of arts education across New York City Public Schools. This report references the 2024–2025 school year, and provides detailed data on arts funding, staffing, programmatic achievements, and more throughout the system. The findings showcase notable systemwide progress and reflect a sustained commitment to ensuring every student benefits from robust arts learning.
“Arts education is a critical component in the development of the whole child,” said Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “As chancellor, I am committed to ensuring our students have opportunities to cultivate their creativity and develop their unique artistic voices within their school communities. I look forward to continuing to expand our arts programming across the city.”
Within the last year, the arts budget across schools and the arts office increased from $516 million in FY24 to $563 million in FY25. This past spring, it was also announced that $41 million would be baselined to support funding for arts programming. With a strong and growing range of arts disciplines across New York City Public Schools, this budget increase expands students’ access to professional pathways and enhances the learning opportunities available directly in their classrooms. The number of full-time arts teachers grew 3.1 percent, from the 2023-2024 to 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The report also highlights a number of programmatic updates that took place throughout the last school year. Some professional development highlights include the enrollment of 54 Principal Fellows, a program through the Arts Office meant to support current principals through incorporating arts-focused solutions in their schools. And additionally, the establishment of the Jazz House Fellows Program, a music teacher fellowship in partnership with Jazz House KiDS and Trinity Church Wall Street. The inaugural class has 12 fellows.
Emphasizing the importance of Pathways, the report also includes information on some new Student Arts Pathways, one of which includes an Early Childhood String Pathways Program, which piloted at 3 schools in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. In addition to new programs, the report includes information on the expansion of existing programs such as the Summer Borough-and District-based Pathways Programs, and work-based learning.
Find the full arts report for the 2024-2025 school year here.
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Contact Chancellor’s Press Office: press@schools.nyc.gov