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State Grant Brings Arts Funding Windfall to School Districts
Beaumont High junior Marriam Jawaid uses a new Cintiq in her high school's digital media lab. The lab cost the district $175,000 – money they say they didn't have to spend on art until they were awarded a Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant.
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Carla Javier/KPCC
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With the new funding, Beaumont Unified bought over $1 million worth of instruments, including these violins and cellos.
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Carla Javier/KPCC
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Victoria Batta conducts during an elementary band rehearsal at Three Rings Ranch Elementary School.
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Carla Javier/KPCC
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State Grant Brings Arts Funding Windfall to School Districts
Last year's state budget set aside $44 million for a one-time grant program to boost student health, technology, and educational opportunities - including the arts.
Beaumont Unified received more than $2.4 million this school year.
"We were able to refocus and say, 'Okay. How do we integrate visual and performing arts activities," Dr. Mathew Barnett, the district's director of TK-12 programs, explained.
For more about where the funding came from and what schools did with it, read our story on LAist.com.
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