The development of a comprehensive state plan for arts education in Maryland is presented. The introduction states three program development goals and four major conclusions from a needs assessment of the mutual goals of the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Alliance for Arts in Education. The goals include the development and infusion of sequential arts programs into the school curriculum and development of administrative strategies to ensure these efforts. The conclusions state that there is: insufficient finding; a need for more dance and theater specialists; ineffective use of community resources; and a need for more infusion of arts into the total school curriculum. "A Statement of Belief" presents the philosophy that all individuals can benefit from arts education. "Comprehensive Arts in Education Defined" states three basic components of the arts program: instruction; infusion; and learning resources use. "The Comprehensive Action Plan" extensively outlines the four major goals of the 5-year action plan: promotion of the arts; strengthening the curriculum; strengthening instruction; and effective use of the community arts resources. Appendices contain: definition of terms; suggested questions for a comprehensive arts education survey; and membership lists of The Comprehensive State Plan for Arts in Education Committee and The Maryland Alliance for Arts Education Executive Council. Also included are 13 references. (TRS)