Overview

Do you think there is a relationship between business success and creativity?

If so, you’re in good company.

According to a survey of 1,500 chief executives conducted by IBM’s Institute for Business Value, CEOs list “creativity” as the most important leadership skill needed for successful ventures in the future. Business leaders understand the power of the innovative individual who is a creative thinker and collaborator.

But how do our children, the future business leaders of America, learn to be creative, collaborative, and innovative? The answer is in our local schools—where high-quality arts education programs exist—and creativity, innovation, and collaboration are encouraged and supported.

Sadly, however, arts education programs are underfunded (or undervalued), and students may have little chance of learning the skills that could ensure their future success. That’s where parents can play an important role. Parents, along with members of the business community, can and should form a powerful alliance to support building workforce skills, creativity, and innovation through high-quality, sequential arts education in schools.

If it’s time to create an alliance between your school and the business community, here are some important things to consider:

• Business leaders can be important advocates for the value of local, state, and national arts education because they know firsthand the value of creative and innovative thinking. 
• Oftentimes, business leaders will locate their companies in cities and towns where the arts and culture are key components to a quality of life. 
• Engaged business leaders share a concern with parents and community members—they are interested in dynamic schools, communities, and economies. 
• When hiring people, business leaders tend to hire people who are creative and add dimension to the possibilities of what a company can become. 
• Businesses need the competitive edge that creative people bring to the table.

Business leaders, parents, and educators can collaborate to keep arts education accessible to all students, helping ensure their future economic and personal success.