National Service act includes arts education

This news comes from the Colorado Museums listserv:

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which President Obama is expected to sign into law today, expands national service opportunities for all ages, focusing on veterans' services, the environment, disaster relief, and arts education. The new law will also build the capacity of nonprofits and strengthen the volunteer infrastructure in nonprofits. AAM worked in collaboration with Voices for National Service and other national organizations in supporting this legislation.

In a letter to Congress, American Association of Museums President Ford Bell wrote, "This important legislation will not only encourage a generation toward public service, but will also play a critical role in strengthening the nonprofit organizations that are working overtime to fill important gaps in our nation's social safety net." He added, "At a time when many families cannot afford to travel and school resources are strained, museums are working overtime to fill the gaps -- bringing art and cultural heritage, dynamic exhibitions and living specimens into local communities, offering free or reduced admission, and providing more than 18 million instructional hours to schoolchildren."