Currently in Rhode Island there is a lack of equity in physical and programmatic access to arts learning opportunities for children and youth, both in and out of schools. The visual arts and music are the most common option for middle level students. Most districts do not offer theatre and dance in the curriculum. In districts that did report a theatre or dance program, it was offered in one particular school and not district wide. Very few districts offered all four arts areas as part of the basic curriculum, but many districts did offer theatre and dance as after-school offerings. Urban districts tended to offer more arts-learning opportunities, across all four arts disciplines, than did many suburban districts. This was due to outside funding and greater levels of community collaboration. A total of 127,678 students were served by community organizations in the arts, rather than in-school programs. There is inadequate support to train, equip, and connect resources to provide students arts learning opportunities. Both human and physical resources are insufficient, including materials, training, and professional development for teachers, parents, and the community. Gaps in resources must be identified and new opportunities must be built.

Currently in Rhode Island there is a lack of equity in physical and programmatic access to arts learning opportunities for children and youth, both in and out of schools.