9.01 - Legislative findings and declaration.
§ 9.01. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the legislative findings set down upon the creation of the empire state youth theatre institute pursuant to chapter eight hundred twenty-six of the laws of nineteen hundred seventy-four, continue to be valid and hereby reaffirms and restates these findings: 1. The arts are a motivating force in our schools and in our society. They are a sensitizing experience for a fuller life and a complement to the skills of reading, writing and mathematics. 2. The use of creative arts for children and youth within the educational structure has been shown to increase student success in all disciplines and to encourage emotional growth. 3. Teachers should be experienced in the use of arts and theatre techniques in reaching and working with children and young people, as well as be prepared in the use of community cultural and human resources. The legislature further finds that there should be a state theatre institute dedicated to bringing arts in education to the children and young people of this state. It is further found that such state theatre institute should embody a model theatre and education program for the children of New York state and should symbolize the commitment of the people of the state of New York to the maintenance and development of theatre and education for children and young people while making programs of such theatre institute accessible to the general public. It is further found that such state theatre institute should establish affiliations with public and private schools, institutions of higher learning and arts centers to assure delivery of its services to young people throughout the state. It is therefore found and declared that these findings can best be met through the establishment of a public benefit corporation to be known as the New York state theatre institute corporation and the powers and duties of the corporation defined in this article are necessary and proper for the achievement of these ends.