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Fine Arts education is both basic and practical - it is content and process.  The arts stimulate higher order thinking and provide a variety of learning experiences for the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of all students.  The arts represent skills that prepare students for the new century.  They teach critical thinking and evaluation, creative thinking, problem solving, management and organization, collaboration, and effective communication in ways that no other discipline can.
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In order for arts education to fulfill its varied roles in a comprehensive schooling experience, all must recognize that
 

the arts are fundamental and universal parts of human experience.

arts education is integral to, not isolated from other disciplines or from general educational goals.

the arts are essential for every learner.  They advance perceptual development, knowledge acquisition, and skill development that provide direct and immediate applications for learning.

the arts provide a series of intensive learning experiences that build cooperative and communicative skills.

the arts serve the needs and facilitate the development of every individual, not just the "talented".