Music Advocacy Success Story!

June 14, 2018, 12:27 PM · Update on How I Became an Advocate for Music Education, and How You Can Too!

Speaking up really does pay off. I’m thrilled to report that through the efforts of many people who care deeply about music education in California, $44 million WILL be allocated from one-time Title IV federal funds. The $44 million will go to two priorities: 1) Enhanced Visual and Performing Arts Education and 2) Expanding Physical and Mental Health Care in schools.

It is no mistake that the language in this statement lists VAPA priorities FIRST, thanks to the efforts of many organizations and individuals who worked to ensure that the importance of Visual and Performing Arts is clear to lawmakers.

Statement from California Alliance for Arts Education:

"We are very pleased to report that SB 933, the Arts for Every Student Incentive Grant Program, authored by Senator Ben Allen and sponsored by the California Alliance for Arts Education, has been included in the budget bill just passed by the legislature’s conference committee, and is currently en- route to both the Assembly and Senate, in order to be passed and sent on to the Governor to be signed by Friday, June 15, 2018.
The legislation is intended to provide underserved California school districts with a "jump start" in arts education funding, in order to bring California into better alignment with the state Education Code, and provide our students with robust visual and performing arts instruction.
The allocation of $44 million will be coming from one-time federal Title IV funding for grants prioritized for: 1) enhancing visual and performing arts education, or 2) expanding access to physical and mental health care, including dental and vision care, in schools by supporting school health centers. How that funding will be divided among these priorities, as well as the full implementation of the grant program if enacted, is yet to be determined."

It’s a good day for public school music education here in California!