With the Trump administration discussing cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, Delaware legislators and members of the public will hear how the arts shape Delaware's future workforce during a May 4 presentation at Legislative Hall.

"The second annual Delaware Arts Advocacy Day brings a unique opportunity to show legislators the importance of arts education in Delaware's curriculum and how it positively impacts our future workforce," said Guillermina Gonzalez, executive director of Delaware Arts Alliance.

The free program, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature performances by Delaware elementary school students, local artists displaying their work, videos on arts education, and poetry readings by Poetry Out Loud State Champion Cecilia Ergueta and runner-up Shalyn Littlejohn. At noon, a panel titled "Art-Education: The Key to Delaware's Workforce of the Future" will feature six speakers.

Jeff M. Poulin, arts education program manager at Americans for the Arts, and Delaware Secretary of Education Dr. Susan Bunting will participate.

As a state, Delaware has ranked third in the nation in state arts funding, due to a supportive administration, the work of the Delaware Division of the Arts, and its consistent advocacy efforts.

Photo via Flickr user diaper