The Office of Civic Education Initiatives’ Creative Learning programs embrace the arts as an indispensable set of academic disciplines, and as an important tool for teaching other subjects. From theatre and music to painting and playwriting, the arts promote creative and critical thinking, opening the mind to new ideas and a richer understanding of the world. In addition, the arts provide an effective way of engaging students in the study of other disciplines. Whether it’s utilizing the visual arts to enhance high school students’ science literacy or using the performing arts to teach second graders about health and wellness, the Office’s Creative Learning programs deliver powerful enrichment opportunities that help students achieve their full potential, both in and outside of the classroom.