While some schools across California tapped into funding to expand art programs, many others are struggling to do the same as a result of a lack of qualified teachers, classroom space and limited schedules, according to a report released in Los Angeles Wednesday.
During its annual State of the Arts Summit at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, the nonprofit Arts for LA unveiled the findings of its report, “Arts and Music in Schools: Exploring Prop 28 Implementation and Public Perception in Los Angeles County,” which highlighted how the law has been implemented across school districts in Los Angeles County.
Voters approved Prop 28 in 2022, which created upward of $1 billion in ongoing arts-education funding for California schools.
Authored by Lindsey Kunisaki, the LA for Arts’ 2024 Laura Zucker Fellow for Policy and Research, the report highlighted successes and challenges of Prop 28, and provided recommendations to address key issues.
It found that some school districts were able access Prop 28 money more quickly than others by leveraging existing programs and plans to hire full-time teachers. However, other school districts could not fully benefit from the funding because they lacked infrastructure and resources to create or expand art programs.
The authors also found challenges with how Prop 28 is being perceived by Californians.
“One of the central insights of the report is the link between confidence in Prop 28’s success and perceived public involvement,” Kunisaki said in a statement. “Survey respondents expressed less skepticism when they believed their communities were actively involved in the initiative’s implementation.”
Kunisaki noted a gap between public interest and actual engagement. While community members show high interest and expectations for Prop 28, few are currently involved in their local schools’ implementation efforts.
The report called for the creation of a statewide oversight and advisory committee, and to allow administrators, teachers, students, families and residents to serve as members.
The report also called for government and education agencies to support teacher credential programs. Ricky Abilez, director of policy and advocacy for Arts for LA, said that in order to meet the “promise of Prop 28, it needs to be easier for teaching artists to obtain credentials.”
Arts for LA hosted its summit in partnership with The Ebell of Los Angeles, the city’s longest-running philanthropic women’s club. More than 400 arts and culture advocates attended, according to the organizers.
During opening remarks, Stacy Brightman, executive director of The Ebell, talked about this year’s theme of “legacy,” which she said asks “us to honor progress while acknowledging the great shortcomings and injustice that shapes us.”
“At Ebell, we understand that legacy carries weight and responsibility, not simply to preserve what has been, but more importantly to ask how can we do better,” Brightman added.
Gustavo Herrera, CEO of Arts for LA, spoke on the changing landscape in the city, and challenges to the film, television and gaming industries, citing concerns with artificial intelligence technology.
He said there was a silver lining in the opportunity that major sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will present for the arts. The nonprofit is aiming to secure 10,000 creative job placements with living wages by 2030 with a focus on historically underrepresented communities.
“Change does not happen overnight,” Herrera said. “It requires long-term vision. It requires strategy and requires organized support. The progress that we have made as one community is real with your help. We are already shifting policies and narratives.”
Herrera also noted that while California is often hailed as a “creative capital” it currently ranks 36th in the nation in per-capita arts spending. L.A. County falls behind compared to the counties of San Diego and San Francisco, according to a study from the Americans for the Arts.
According to Herrera, in the coming year, the nonprofit will work on supporting artists, programs and other organizations through several initiatives such as streamlining grant applications, reducing administrative burdens, increasing access to public space, advocating for more transparency around Prop 28 funding, promoting living wages for artists and protecting jobs from AI technology.
