Needs
Ensuring arts education every day for every child in every school requires 1) advocacy efforts to change the funding allocation for the arts and make systemic changes in k-12 public education; and 2) funding arts teachers and arts education programs.
In 2023-24, Friends of Sacramento Arts needs philanthropic support to:
1. PROPOSITION 28 IMPLEMENTATION: Work with the statewide education leaders, the local leaders in the 14 K-12 public school districts in Sacramento County and the arts community to facilitate equitable distribution of funds from Proposition 28, the Arts and Music in Schools fund approved on the November 2022 ballot.
2. HEALTHY HEARTS AND MINDS PROGRAM: Launched in 2020, during the pandemic, this program links mental health professionals with teaching artists and mentors to address the social-emotional needs of students after being socially isolated during the pandemic. An intensive 30-week program is provided to students at local schools. Funds for this provide the staff and coordination.
3) HEROES OF ARTS EDUCATION: on March 16, 2023, Friends is launching this annual event to recognize and honor arts teachers and artists who are making an impact in the lives of school children through arts education. The honorees will be from the 14 Sacramento County school districts. The event will also highlight school children and groups presenting their art form through music, dance, theater, spoken word and fine arts.
4) CREATIVE SCHOOLS FUND: Schools in the Sacramento City Unified District and Twin Rivers Unified School District are eligible for $1,000 grants as a result of their participation in Artlook - an online database program that tracks both arts education in each school and linkage to organizations and artists available for arts education in their schools.
With your generous support, Friends of Sacramento Arts will fulfill these goals in 2023-24 to serve the 250,000 Sacramento County k-12 students.