Dive Brief:

• Michelle Obama discussed the importance of arts education at the Grammy Museum's Jane Ortner Education Award Luncheon on Wednesday, which honored singer Janelle Monae and high school teacher Sunshine Cavalluzzi.
• Monae was honored at the luncheon for her work with young people through the museum's educational programming, and while accepting her award, she spoke about her childhood in Kansas City, KS, where music education was not only supported but helped her deal with her emotions.  
• Obama discussed the need for arts education to reach the nearly 6 million students who currently don't have any sort of music or art lessons programmed into their daily school schedules.  

Dive Insight:

"Let's not forget there are symphonies and theaters and museums and with every exhibit and performance folks should be asking themselves how can we get those kids in there? How can we get the artists and performers to connect with young people in those communities?" Obama asked those gathered at the luncheon.  

The teacher, Cavalluzzi, of El Dorado High School in Placentia, Calif., was recognized for her use of music to teach non-arts subjects like economics.

Earlier this spring, the first lady spoke of the need for arts education when she hosted a talent show at the White House to showcase the talent in the Turnaround Arts program, an initiative that brings arts education to eight low-performing elementary and middle schools.