But of course, you say. Well, this is one of those things you want to watch, for the funding for field trips is closely associated with funding for teaching artists, arts supplies, school plays, etc.

While the stimulus money for education will pour significant funds into some schools, at the very same time other schools will see budget cuts. It’s part of the schizoid time we live in. Moreover, some schools will have more money than ever for certain things and less for others. Arts Education is more than likely to be in the “less for others” category.

It’s a simple calculus: cuts to contracted services for things like fees to cultural organizations, combined with cuts from the private funding side, have potential to remake arts education, and indeed arts organizations in ways that we do not yet understand.

It’s less about hand-wringing, and more about trying to gauge where things are headed.

It’s somewhat rare for USA Today to look at something related to arts education. Click here to read what I believe is but one canary in the coal mine: Cash Strapped Schools Cancel Field Trips.