Schools don’t invest in arts programs because they’re a “bonus.” They invest because the arts boost confidence, creativity, attendance, and overall student engagement.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Most arts programs fail.
Not because students don’t care… Not because teachers don’t try… But because the programs themselves aren’t built for success. After years of working with schools across Los Angeles, here are the real reasons arts programs collapse — and what schools can do to build programs that students actually love, remember, and stick with.
1. Programs Are Built Around Convenience, Not Quality
Many schools hire the first available musician, dancer, or artist because they’re short on time. But convenience-based hiring leads to:
- Inconsistency between classes
- Unreliable instructors
- Low-skill teaching
- Bored students (the biggest red flag)
- Students know the difference between a world-class music, dance, or art professional and someone “trying to teach something creative.”
What works instead:
Bring in working artists, touring musicians, industry-level dancers, real producers — people who live and breathe their craft.
Students feel that energy instantly.
2. The Curriculum Is… Boring
A lot of school arts programs are built around outdated projects:
- The same poster assignments
- The same choreography
- The same “paint this bowl of fruit” lesson
- The same 3-chord guitar patterns
Students want creativity, challenge, and variety — not repetition.
What works instead:
Programs that feel modern, culturally relevant, and professional:
- Drumline
- Guitar classes with real electric guitars and amps
- Podcasting and media production
- Film scoring
- Hip-hop choreography
- Songwriting
- Digital art & photography
- Real studio environments
- Recording sessions
- Dance on styles students actually listen to
When the curriculum evolves with the times, engagement skyrockets.
3. No Pathway, No Progression, No Purpose
Many schools offer single, isolated classes with no long-term plan.
Students show up… then drift away.
What works instead:
A clear path of progression:
- Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3
- Skill-building milestones
- Recitals, showcases, and real goals
- Opportunities for leadership and creativity
- Exposure to careers in the arts
- Untapped field trip experiences, not just the classic "museum visit".
Students stay engaged when they can grow.
4. Programs Ignore the Power of Experiences
Students don’t remember worksheets.
They remember:
- The field trip to a real recording studio
- The concert at lunch with a world-class musician
- Seeing a scoring stage for the first time
- Meeting someone who has “made it”
These experiences change how a student sees themselves.
What works instead:
Build arts programs around moments that matter:
- Iconic field trips
- Live professional concerts
- Meet-and-greets with creators
- Studio visits
- Online sessions with creators from around the world
These spark a lifetime of interest.
5. Administrative Chaos Kills Good Programs
Even the best programs fall apart when:
- The instructor cancels
- There’s no substitute
- The vendor doesn’t communicate
- There are too many vendors
- Schedules shift constantly
- Programs differ by campus
Administrative burnout is the silent killer of arts programming.
What works instead:
One partner overseeing everything across all schools — with:
- Unified quality
- Single invoicing
- Single communication channel
- Professional operations
- Real accountability
This is the backbone of any sustainable program.
Final Thought:
Students love the arts. They WANT to dance, to create, to record, to perform. But they need programs that feel modern, exciting, and built with quality in mind.
When schools design arts programs with:
- World-class educators
- Relevant curriculum
- Real experiences
- Clear pathways
- Operational support
Students don’t just participate — THEY THRIVE
