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The key to spreading the benefits of the arts is to engage greater numbers of Americans. The most enduring arts benefits are created through sustained involvement.

To identify the factors behind this type of involvement, "Gifts of the Muse: Reframing the Debate About the Benefits of the Arts" by Rand analyzed the differences among people who participate frequently in the arts, and those who participate only occasionally. Rand found two important distinctions for frequent participants: they had often been exposed to the arts when young — that is, early arts experiences provided a gateway to future involvement — and they were motivated to seek future experiences by the high quality of their arts experiences.

Based on these findings, the Rand report recommends that policy be refocused to build demand for the arts by introducing more Americans to engaging arts experiences, especially when they are young.

We couldn’t agree more.

The Culture for Kids initiative is the first in a series of grant programs to benefit schools, civic groups and our nation's arts and cultural organizations.