Save the EAST Program at Arkansas Arts Academy Elementary 

Petition to Protect STEAM Education and Student Innovation

Petition Summary:

We, the undersigned parents, families, students, and community members, respectfully ask Arkansas Arts Academy leadership and the school board to retain the EAST program at the elementary campus.

In today’s world, art and technology are no longer separate fields — they work together every day. Programs like EAST help students build creativity, leadership, technology literacy, teamwork, coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and real-world experience that prepare them for future careers.

Removing a technology-based innovation program from an arts-focused school would move students backward instead of forward.

Why This Matters:

Modern careers increasingly combine creativity with technology. Industries such as:

Graphic design
Animation
Video game development
Architecture
Fashion design
Digital media
Web design
AI-assisted design
Robotics
3D printing
Marketing
Music production
Video production
Coding and software development
all rely on both artistic and technological skills.

The future of education is STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics working together.

Programs like EAST provide:

Hands-on learning
Technology exposure
Leadership development
Public speaking skills
Collaboration opportunities
Creative problem-solving
Community project experience
Real-world innovation skills
These are exactly the skills students need to succeed in middle school, high school, college, and the modern workforce.

Technology Exposure Should Start Early
Elementary school is one of the most important stages for introducing students to technology-based learning.

Research consistently shows that early exposure to technology and project-based learning improves:

Student engagement
Confidence
Critical thinking
Creativity
Communication
Collaboration
Career awareness

Programs like EAST often help students who may not thrive in traditional classrooms discover confidence and success through innovation and hands-on learning.

Art and Technology Belong Together
This is not about choosing between arts and technology.

It is about ensuring our students receive a modern education that reflects the real world.

Even traditional artists now use:

Digital design software
Artificial intelligence tools
Animation platforms
Digital media production
Coding
3D modeling
Interactive technology
Creative careers increasingly require technological skills.

Removing EAST would reduce opportunities for students to gain experience in these important areas.

The Impact on Enrollment and School Reputation 

Families today actively seek schools that offer:

STEAM education
Technology integration
Innovation programs
Project-based learning
Future-focused education
Removing a technology-based innovation program could:

Hurt future enrollment
Reduce the school’s competitive advantage
Push families toward schools with stronger STEAM opportunities
Send the message that innovation is not a priority
Arkansas Arts Academy has the opportunity to lead by combining creativity and technology — not separating them.

Our Request
We respectfully ask Arkansas Arts Academy leadership and the school board to:

Retain the EAST program at the elementary campus.
Preserve technology-based learning opportunities for students.
Continue supporting STEAM education.
Protect project-based and innovation-focused learning.
Include parent and community input before making major program decisions.
Our children deserve an education that prepares them not only for today’s world, but for the future they will inherit.

Please Sign and Share
If you believe students deserve access to both creativity and technology education, please sign and share this petition.

Together, we can support innovation, opportunity, and the future success of our children.