The purpose the BOCES Arts in Education program is to vastly improve students' overall cultural awareness and to increase their linguistic, visual spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist and logical-mathematical intelligences.

Students are introduced to both traditional and unorthodox materials and instruments used by artists as well as their diverse methods which frequently include extensive research in multiple academic areas. They are made aware, not only of the aesthetic qualities of a given art form, but its expressive and conceptual underpinnings.

By providing performances and residencies, students not only learn more about the arts, but also improve their self-image, gain in self-knowledge, increase their learning skills in multiple academic areas and their understanding of other people and diverse cultures.