Grantmakers in the Arts Releases Guide on use of Federal Funds for Arts Education

GIA has published an online resource for those working in arts education so they understand the resources and leverage support going toward quality arts and arts education at the state, district, and school level.

New York, NY — October 29, 2018. Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) has released an online state-by-state guide on how States are using their federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to support arts education and arts programming in K-12 schools in the United States.

The guide serves as an introduction to ESEA, most recently updated by Congress through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for any GIA members or organizations GIA members work with that might not be familiar with the law. Through this resource, GIA provides guidance in understanding the law, the different programs within it, and how those programs relate to the arts or arts education.

Specific to arts education funding, the guide provides a state by state map that links to each state’s ESSA plan detailing how arts and arts education are or can be resourced. Additionally, the guide includes recommendations on whom to contact at the state, district, or, at times, school level – to begin helping shape that state’s commitments to quality arts education for all K-12 students. One of the goals of this resource is to ensure that GIA members advocating for arts education funding for schools and districts know what sort of funding decisions are being made at the federal and state levels.

“The inclusion of the arts has been proven to positively influence academic performance. Grantmakers in the Arts is grateful for the chance to inform our residents how they can have meaningful influence on their states’ providing students a full education that includes the arts,” said Eddie Torres, GIA president & CEO.

Nadia Elokdah, GIA deputy director & director of programs, emphasized this tool “is useful for GIA members, the arts education field, and organizers on the ground to leverage support and increase resources going toward quality arts and arts education at the state, district, and even individual school level.”

The guide can be explored here.

Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) is a national association of private and public arts funders, including large independent foundations, family foundations, community foundations, national, state and local arts agencies, and nonprofit organizations that make grants to artists and arts organizations. The organization’s funding focus areas -racial equity in arts philanthropy, support for individual artists, arts education, and capitalization- are at the core of its work. GIA provides communication services, research, and regional and national convenings for arts funders. For more details about GIA, call (929) 452-3740 or visit www.giarts.org or its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Grantmakers in the Arts media contact: Carmen Graciela Díaz, communications and publications manager: (718) 402-5915, carmen@giarts.org, @Carmen7Graciela