On September 30, 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law the single largest investment in music and arts education programs in the history of our country. An annual Arts Block Grant of $105 million was distributed to school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education to support standards aligned instruction in kindergarten through grade twelve inclusive. The funds could be allocated for hiring additional staff, professional development, purchasing supplies (including books) and equipment. The funding was allocated at an equal amount per pupil, with a minimum of $2500 for school sites with twenty or fewer students and a minimum of $4000 per site with more than twenty students.

Also in 2006, a one-time allocation of $500 million was distributed to school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education for the purchase of arts and/or physical education professional development, supplies and equipment. Schools could use the funds to provide professional development for teachers, as well as make investments in items including musical instruments, kilns, photographic equipment and other equipment that supports standards-based instruction. These funds were also allocated on an equal amount per pupil, based on the number of pupils in kindergarten and grades one through twelve, with a minimum funding level of $2500 for small schools.

The ongoing Arts Block Grant has been sustained in subsequent budget years through 2008-2009 through the coordinated efforts of broad coalition of arts education advocates. The 2008 budget crisis resulted in increased flexibility for certain categorical funds, the Arts Block Grant among them. Therefore, school districts currently have a choice at the local level as to whether they will utilize the Arts Block Grant for the arts or other education purposes. Despite the challenge presented by this emergency flexibility, we consider the Arts Block Grant as just the beginning of what we hope the State will ultimately invest to ensure every child with a quality, well-rounded education. Our challenge is ensure that every student in California benefits from this investment.

TIP: For the very latest on the status of the Arts Block Grant, visit: http://www.artsed411.org/educate/grants.aspx.

Advocacy has long been a critical component of sustaining the arts in our schools. In the face of narrowing curricula, even narrower accountability systems, and dwindling resources, adopting a proactive approach to building public, educational, workforce, and political value for K-12 arts learning is absolutely essential. Advocacy takes place at the local level with school and district administrators, at the state level with elected officials, and at the national level with your congressional representatives.
We encourage you to get informed and make your voice heard, and information and tips regarding advocacy can be found throughout this newly revised version of The Insider’s Guide.

TIP: To receive bi-weekly news and information on arts education policymaking, programs, conferences and professional development, and funding opportunities, subscribe to ArtsEdMail at: http://www.artsed411.org/participate/artsedmail.aspx.