Department of Arts Education
Arts Education Plan 2.0: Cultivating Creativity
The plan is centered around two key goals: expanding access to well-resourced, developmentally appropriate arts instruction delivered by certified educators; and establishing a districtwide standard for high-quality instruction through rigorous curricula, professional development, strong arts partnerships, and robust data systems. This dual focus on access and quality aims to create meaningful, transformative arts experiences that support student expression, academic success, and social-emotional growth.
Upcoming Events
Full Arts Calendar
Chiarts Transition
Beginning in the fall of 2026, the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) will join the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) family as a District-managed school, and we want to build this future together.
The Mission
The Department of Arts Education integrates rigorous arts instruction into the district’s core educational infrastructure to drive student engagement, academic achievement, and postsecondary readiness across every Chicago Public School.
The Vision
To establish the arts as a universal instructional lever that empowers every CPS student to become a critical thinker, an inventive problem-solver, and a high-performing citizen in a global economy.
The Experience
Every student in Chicago Public Schools will experience innovative, rigorous, and joyful arts learning that cultivates creativity, curiosity, empathy, and confident self expression. Through bold artistic practice and deep personal exploration, students will become critical thinkers, imaginative problem-solvers, and engaged citizens, ready to thrive in a dynamic world.
Contact Info CPS Arts Department
773-553-2170
cpsarts@cps.edu
Chicago Public Schools
42 W. Madison St, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602