2. Encourage your child to participate in the arts and celebrate their participation in or out of school.

3. Explore the Topeka & Shawnee County Library and read “the classics” together—from Mother Goose to Walt Whitman. On your way, stop in the Alice C Sabatini gallery and see what the lastest exhibit has to offer.

4. Read the Topeka Capital-Journal to find out about attending local arts events like museum exhibits, local plays, festivals, or outdoor concerts.

5. Tell your child’s teacher, principal, and school leadership that the arts are vital to your child’s success and an important part of a quality education. Find out if your school has sufficient resources for arts education, including qualified teachers and materials. If not, offer to help.

6. Contact some of our local arts organizations, such as the Mulvane, Topeka Civic Theatre, the Topeka Symphony or Helen Hocker Theater to inquire about the arts education programs they offer either during school hours or after school. Volunteer to donate time, supplies, or help with their advocacy efforts and connect these services to your child’s school.

7. Attend a school board or PTA meeting and voice your support for the arts to show them you care and make sure the arts are adequately funded as part of the core curriculum in the school budget.

8. Take your kids to see other kids perform, and they might just decide they would like to try it too. If they love music, take them to see the Topeka Symphony's Youth Symphony. Support our local high school musical productions, or perhaps one of the Topeka Civic Theatre Youth or Helen Hocker Theater productions.

9. Be an arts supporter! Contact your elected officials—lawmakers and school board members—to ask them for more arts education funding from the local, state, and federal levels. Contact either ARTSConnect or the Kansas Arts Commission to see how you can help.

10. Take your kids out on the First Fridays Artwalk. It is free, and a great way for kids learn about local and national artists in a fun setting.