< Action Agenda
FUNDING
In
order for the arts to take their place with other disciplines as an established
part of the school program and school day, they need to become a permanent
part of school and district budgets. Today, however, many schools support
their arts programs through state or federal grants, including Magnet
Schools Assistance grants and funding for 21st Century Learning Centers,
both offered by the U.S. Department of Education, as well as WSAC grants.
Private foundation funds have been used for arts planning, training,
and program implementation. Some school districts use levy funding for
the arts. PTAs and community organizations can provide funding for the
arts. In schools where the arts are a priority, principals and faculty
understand their value and find ways to dedicate the money to sustain
them using regular school funds, even in chronically tight budgets. Principals
report that a permanent budget line item dedicated to the arts is necessary
to sustain a viable arts program.
Ideas for Practice
Separate line items for arts. Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane has set up a very specific arts budget, with line items for every discipline. Each department head has separate line items and separate account numbers.
Bonds for buildings that advance the arts. With extensive outreach to get involvement from administrators, faculty, and community members, Central Valley School District passed a $78 million building bond issue to fund two new state-of-the-art high school buildings that advance the arts, with specially designed studio and performance spaces. All students graduate with at least one credit in the arts. At Central Valley High School, all of the departments are represented in a staff meeting on budget. Staff protect the arts from disproportionate budget cuts by making small across-the-board cuts instead.
School foundation as banker for arts. Vancouver School for Arts and Academics holds a weekly budget committee meeting every Thursday morning. Principal Chris Olsen makes recommendations, and the teachers make the decisions. Vancouver School Foundation serves as the school’s banker, supplying funds to the school and individual teachers for specific projects, bringing in an artist, or purchasing supplies. The process establishes a good audit trail and is within guidelines for all Washington public schools.
Community organizations fund arts in schools. Island View Elementary School in Anacortes benefits from grants from the Anacortes Arts Association, Kiwanis, and other service organizations. The money supports the school’s arts projects and also provides scholarships for students in after-school arts programs.
Equitable funding formulas. Cascade High School faculty allocate funding for all courses through a formula that multiplies student enrollment by a cost factor of 1, 2, or 4, depending on the type of course (Science, P.E., Arts, etc.). Arts courses have a cost factor of 4. Once the numbers for all courses are determined, the budget is divided by percentages accordingly. “Budgeting is about equitable money for equitable needs,” says Principal Bill Wadlington.