Help us enrich public school education for all California students in a meaningful way that doesn't require raising taxes. Join BizFed in supporting the California Arts & Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative (#21-0036), which we're pushing to get on the November ballot. Numerous studies have linked K-12 arts and music education to improved cognitive development, increased school attendance, and success later in life. Yet 90% of elementary schools, 96% of middle schools, and 72% of high schools in California fail to provide high-quality arts education. We're lagging behind other states.
The glaring irony? California is widely considered the capital of the world's creative economy. Our creative sectors support 2.6 million jobs statewide.
If passed, this proposed ballot measure would require minimum funding for arts education programs in all K-12 public schools, including charter schools, by allocating from the General Fund at least 1% of the prior fiscal year's required school funding. This would provide ongoing annual funding for arts and music education totaling nearly $900 million, up more than 50% from current levels. A larger share of funds would go toward schools serving economically disadvantaged students.
I'm proud to join a growing list of business, education, civic, and creative leaders speaking out to support the California Arts & Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative. My quote below is featured in a press release being issued this week by the #VoteArtsAndMusic team, alongside a quote from recording artist, producer, and philanthropist Quincy Jones. Other notable supporters include Universal Music Group, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, LAUSD, and the California Teachers Association.
I invite you to circulate these quote graphics on social media using the #VoteArtsAndMusic hashtag, along with this link to join our coalition: https://voteartsandmusic.org/join-the-movement/
Let's support the next generation of creative thinkers – and millions of creative sector jobs!
BizFed Founding CEO
BizFed launched in 2008 and now unites more than 245 diverse business organizations. BizFed’s 150 investors include micro-businesses to iconic brands and institutions.