The National Center on Education and the Economy is a nonprofit organization created to develop proposals for building the world class education and training system that the United States must have if it is to continue to be a world class economy. Tough Choices or Tough Times is a monumental analysis of the future global workforce and the U.S. Part of that world-class education and training system must focus on innovation in order to remain globally competitive — and arts advocates note the importance of arts education and community arts for a healthy creative economy. The National Center engages in policy analysis and development and works collaboratively with others at the local, state and national levels to advance its proposals in the policy arena.