The AEM project surveyed sixty fifth-graders, personally interviewing nine of those the students. We asked questions about their art experience, academically, mentally, and socially. The following video contains many of their responses , and images of student art. This video is a tool for art advocacy, amplifying a voice that is often unheard, and illustrating how art positively affects the wellbeing of students.

According to The Century Foundation, a nonprofit research institution focused on political and economic issues in the United States,  we are underfunding our K-12 public schools by nearly $150 billion annually. To many policymakers, art education is still seen as an add-on in the traditional liberal arts education, rather than a core academic subject. This perspective has now been reflected in America's public education system, as funding for art education continues to be cut or underfunded in many communities.