FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2025
Colorado Arts Educator Licensure Continues Decline, New Report Finds
Think 360 Arts Releases Phase 2 of Statewide Evaluation
DENVER, CO — Today, Think 360 Arts for Learning released the Phase 2 Report of a six-year evaluation examining the state of arts educator licensure in Colorado. The new report, made possible by a grant from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, reveals a continued and concerning decline in the number of credentialed arts educators across the state between 2021 and 2024, with marked drops in Theater and Visual Arts.
High Level Findings (2022–2024):
1.) The total number of credentialed arts teachers declined by 5%, from 3,524 in 2022 to 3,382 in 2024.
2.) On average, Colorado has one licensed arts teacher for every 254 students.
3.) Of Colorado’s 187 school districts:
- 164 had no certified Dramatic Arts teachers
- 59 had no certified Music teachers
- 48 had no certified Visual Arts teachers
While Music remains the most represented content area, the study shows instability across disciplines. Dramatic Arts saw the sharpest decline in credentials—from 110 in 2022 to 94 in 2024. Visual Arts dropped from 1,691 to 1,553 certified teachers.
The new report builds on the Phase 1 analysis (2018–2021), which found statistically significant post-pandemic declines in rural arts educator licensure. Phase 2 confirms that this downward trend has not only continued but expanded statewide.
This work is underscored by national research, including significant longitudinal studies of school districts in Houston (Hardy & Farmer, 2023) and Boston (Hardy et al., 2023), which demonstrate that access to arts education is directly linked to higher graduation rates, improved GPAs, better attendance, and positive mental health outcomes for students, alongside decreases in behavioral issues and disciplinary actions. These findings affirm the essential role of arts learning in student success and community well-being.
“While we now have longitudinal data to evaluate trends in arts educator licensure, the challenge remains that Colorado is working with far more limited data than 48 other states,” said Daisy Fodness-McGowan, Executive Director of Think 360 Arts. “We don’t have access to course-level offerings across all districts or data on student participation in arts education. Until that reality changes, we’re only able to analyze one small piece of a much larger puzzle when it comes to truly understanding the arts education landscape in Colorado.”
Challenges in Statewide Data Collection
While the report is important, it underscores the lack of publicly available data from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). Unlike 48 other states, Colorado does not currently require reporting for the following:
- Which arts education courses are being offered
- Student enrollment in those courses
- Teachers instructing arts content without formal content-area licensure
As to the last bullet point, educators teaching Theater, Dance, or Music under alternative endorsements (e.g., English or Physical Education) are not reflected in official data sets.
This gap in data reporting critically limits Colorado’s participation in national data initiatives such as the Arts Education Data Project and Arts Education Partnership’s (AEP) artlook™ data platform, muting Colorado’s visibility in national conversations. Most importantly, it limits an in-depth analysis of what it would take to ensure that high-impact arts education is equitably available to all youth in our state, regardless of their socioeconomic level or zip code.
Despite these limitations, Think 360 Arts is championing advocacy efforts in partnership with arts education thought leaders, policymakers, and community coalitions across the state. This report, commissioned by Think 360 Arts and prepared by Research Evaluation Consulting (REC), provides critical data to inform conversations and drive collaborative action.
Think 360 Arts for Learning is actively working with statewide groups like the Colorado Arts Education Advocacy Committee—which Think 360 Arts for Learning leads—as well as the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts Policy & Advocacy Committee, Colorado Music Educators Association, Colorado Dance Educators Organization, Colorado Thespians, and Colorado Arts Educators Association and other key partners to take meaningful steps toward addressing the growing disparity in access to licensed arts educators.
The full report is now available for download HERE.
About Think 360 Arts for Learning
Think 360 Arts for Learning is Colorado’s leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing arts education and creative engagement across the state. The organization serves approximately 25,000 students, educators, and older adults annually through a range of programs, including teaching artist residencies, community engagement initiatives, policy advocacy, and research efforts. Think 360 Arts works to ensure that all Coloradans, regardless of geography or background, have access to high-impact arts learning experiences.
Founded in 1963 as Young Audiences of Colorado, Think 360 Arts has a long history of statewide impact. The organization partners closely with Arts Education Partnership, Colorado Creative Industries, the Colorado Department of Education, and a wide network of state and national collaborators to strengthen Colorado’s creative ecosystem. | www.think360arts.org
About Research Evaluation Consulting | Research Evaluation Consulting (REC) is a Colorado-based, woman-owned consulting firm specializing in research and evaluation services such as program evaluation, impact studies, and data analysis. As an external evaluator and partner with social sector agencies and purpose-driven organizations, REC delivers actionable insights that drive meaningful change.
Media Inquiries Contact Info:
Bethany Laffan, Marketing Coordinator
Think 360 Arts for Learning
Email: bethany@think360arts.org