Students, educators and arts leaders urge board to keep Fine Arts credit in diploma

At the Indiana State Board of Education meeting, high‑school students, arts educators and sector leaders delivered extended public comment urging the board to keep a Fine Arts credit as part of the state’s high‑school diploma.

Senior Grace Nia of Carmel High School told the board that the Fine Arts requirement taught her “teamwork, leadership and how to be a creative, imaginative person,” and that making arts optional would mean “thousands of children would miss out on a crucial learning experience” because many teenagers “don’t have the foresight and maturity to choose the course that best prepares them.”

The request for a required arts credit was repeated throughout the public comment period. Arabella Kimble of Hamilton Southeastern asked the board for a two‑credit arts requirement and asked the Department and board to “reinforce their commitment to the Arts as a core subject.” Abel Kinsky, also a Carmel student, described orchestra as a formative community that “significantly enriched” his education.

Arts sector leaders quantified the stakes. David Craig Starky, president of the Indianapolis Consortium of Arts CEOs and general director of the Indianapolis Opera, said the arts contribute billions to the state’s economy and asked the board to preserve arts education as part of Indiana’s identity and workforce pipeline. Dr. Lisa Brooks, dean of Butler University’s Jordan College of the Arts, said colleges expect arts exposure and that requiring an arts credit supports postsecondary readiness.

Pre‑service and current educators warned of workforce consequences. Jenna Small, a Butler pre‑service music teacher, said that removing the requirement would reduce funded arts positions and discourage new music teachers from beginning their careers in Indiana. Brian Weidner, an associate professor in music education, raised equity concerns, saying optional status would most harm schools with limited resources.

Speakers proposed remedies that included: keeping at least one required Fine Arts credit in the general‑baseline diploma, creating a Fine Arts diploma seal to recognize deeper engagement, and including co‑curricular performing arts activities among honors‑track competencies.

The board’s staff clarified that the current Core 40 diploma does not require a Fine Arts credit and that the proposed new baseline encourages use of personalized electives and readiness seals; public commentators said that optional language would lead to cuts in courses and staffing, especially in smaller and rural schools.

The public comment period ended without a formal vote on diploma changes. Board members thanked the speakers and the meeting adjourned.