Reading Improvement Through Art (RITA) program is an interdisciplinary approach to literacy that blends visual art with reading comprehension, evaluated in nine New York City urban high schools. 240 problem readers participating in the pilot program were pre- and post-tested in the Fall 1975 and Spring 1976 semesters. The testing showed the 9th…

Background/Context: For over two decades, the boundaries between the social sciences and the humanities have become blurred, and numerous articles and books have been written about the infusion of the arts in qualitative research as a means to collect and analyze data and to represent findings. Yet these arts-based research processes, although…

This study, completed in 1985, is a replication of the 1982 "Survey of Public Participation in the Arts." The data, collected by the Bureau of the Census, represent the largest survey ever undertaken concerning the U.S. public's cultural activities and attitudes. Interviews were completed with a national sample of 13,675 persons. The…

In 1970 there were about 68,000 persons of minority, racial, and ethnic background who had occupations as actors, architects, authors, dancers, designers, musicians, composers, painters, scupltors, photographers, radio and television announcers, university teachers of art, music, or drama, and other types of artists and entertainers. In this…

Two studies investigated: (1) the art preference of young children for realistic, stylized, and abstract styles; and (2) the influence that exposure to art has on these style preferences. Analyses revealed that exposure increased preference for the selected painting as well as preference for other paintings in that style. (PCB)

More than 17,000 respondents from a representative sample of the population were interviewed by the Bureau of the Census during 1982 about their participation in arts activities. Separate national samples were collected during each month of the year. Ten major areas were addressed: (1) the size of the audience for the arts; (2) the relationship…

Based on a longitudinal study of three children from birth, argues that children experiment with two dimensional representation much earlier than is commonly thought. Interaction between figurative and action modes of representation is described. Suggests symbolizations based on movement and time as well as configuration. (Author/AS)

This paper focuses on two questions: (1) Can visual arts be an effective way for students to express what they have learned in social studies?; and (2) Can creative activity improve motivation, participation, attitude, and enhance learning in social studies? The sample for study was drawn from 75 fifth-graders in 3 classes in a school located in a…

While the capacity to recognize and appreciate beauty may be inborn in all of us, participation in the arts as an audience or artist usually involves a learning process. What is the relationship between childhood and early adult experiences with the arts and later participation? In 1982, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the…

This study's primary purpose was to examine how geographical characteristics and cultural supply influence individual participation in arts related activities in the United States. Data for the study were extracted from the 1982 and 1985 "Survey of Public Participation in the Arts." Research efforts were based upon the inference that…

The primary purpose of this report was to compare data obtained from the 1982 and 1985 "Survey of Public Participation in the Arts." Comparisons of core questions and responses indicate that: (1) 1985 results are very close to those obtained in 1982; (2) there was a statistically significant decline in musical theater performance…

Reviews past studies of children's drawings and their relationship to academic ability. Discusses the use of Clark's Drawing Abilities Test with gifted and talented secondary students. Finds that the test can be used successfully to identify various ability levels among students. (CFR)

Music is everywhere. People listen to compact discs while relaxing at home, MP3s while jogging in the park, live music concerts in their free time, and internet radio on the computer. What are people listening to? Who is doing the listening? How have listening patterns changed over time? This report aims to answer those questions by using data…

Twelve community residents (10 women, 2 men; average age = 67) registered for a continuing education class in "creative living for elders." In 10 weekly, 2-hour sessions, a clinical psychologist and two artists led the group in exercise, muscle relaxation, regulated breathing, guided imagery, affirmations, and sensory awareness integrated with art…

This report summarizes and compares data, extracted from U.S. Census Bureau reports, relating to the numbers and relative earnings of artists from different racial and ethnic backgrounds and for male and female artists. Results indicate that Black and Hispanic workers are underrepresented in artist occupations in relation to their numbers in the…