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2007 National Arts Policy Roundtable
Thinking Creatively and Competing Globally—The Role of the Arts in Building the 21st Century American Workforce
The 2007 National Arts Policy Roundtable focused on the role of the arts in developing the creativity and innovation skills necessary to succeed in a global workplace. It builds upon the recommendations of the 2006 Roundtable, which focused on the future of private sector giving to the arts in America.
Workforce preparedness is increasingly cited as a key challenge to U.S. global competitiveness in numerous research and policy forums. However, a growing number of these studies have suggested that the current mode of academic preparation taking place in schools is insufficient in order to compete and succeed in the new global economic environment, especially in essential skills sets for the 21st century, including critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
Many of these studies reference the need to reinforce the role the arts play in developing 21st century skills; yet, in many key policy forums, discussion of the arts as part of basic building blocks in developing a globally competitive workforce has been notably absent—even as emphasis on the issue has increased.
Thirty-two leaders from the public and private sectors convened at Sundance Preserve in October 2007 to consider this issue.
To provide the context from which the right questions could be developed, and policy options explored, Americans for the Arts undertook a year long investigation of the topic. New research on the attitudes of American business executives and public school superintendents toward creativity and innovation was launched in partnership with The Conference Board and American Association of School Administrators.
Find a variety of resources from the 2007 NAPR below:
- Briefing Book - reports and studies from a variety of sources both domestic and international
- Three original essays written by thought leaders Sir Ken Robinson, Hamsa Thota, Ph.D., and Paul D. Houston, which explore the topic from the international, business, and education perspectives
- Key Findings Report
- Final Report - Ready to Innovate: Are Educators and Executives Aligned on the Creative Readiness of the U.S. Workforce?
- One Page Summary and Detailed Summary of the recommendations.
- List of Participants—2007 Americans for the Arts National Policy Roundtable
Learn about Americans for the Arts National Arts Policy Roundtables:
2011 - Innovating for Impact: Arts-Based Solutions for a Stronger America
2010 - The Role of the Arts in Educating America for Great Leadership and Economic Strength
2009 - The Role of the Arts in Strengthening and Inspiring the 21st Century Global Community
2008 - The Arts and Civic Engagement: Strengthening the 21st Century Community
2006 - The Future of Private Giving to the Arts in America