Arts Education

The arts are vital to the development of all students and are among the courses that are considered well-rounded subjects in the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the NC Basic Education Program, and, as such, are included as subjects every student should learn as part of a balanced curriculum in North Carolina.  While it is clear that not all students enter the arts to become professional in their arts area, the skills that are developed through the arts have a correlation with the learning in other core subject area and can be applied directly to all other academic disciplines.  (see our Did You Know...? link for some of these connections) 

The Vance County School District has been a strong advocate for the arts and continues to provide our students with a strong arts based foundation for their education.  Music and/or art are provided at the elementary level.  E.M. Rollins STEAM Elemetary is affiliated with A+ Schools of North Carolina, focusing on arts integration throughout all areas of instruction.  Middle and High school offer opportunities in band, chorus and visual art, with VCHS offering Theatre Arts as well.  These arts disciplines, in conjunction with Career and College Pathway (CCP) courses at VGCC, provide the roadmap to the Arts Graduation Requirement and Arts Diploma Endorsement for all of our students. 

The Center for Innovation extends our reach into the media arts through our Audio and Video Production Studios,  offering opportunities for music production, podcasting, video broadcasting, and more.  In 2026, our Celebration of the Arts event brought our arts educators into every one of our schools, providing hands on learning activities to 20% of our total student population.  

Please contact me with any questions regarding the arts in the Vance County Schools.