For first and second grade, I attended Zamorano Elementary Fine Arts Academy. While I was there, I would participate in classes with varied art forms including pottery, painting and drawing. These lessons allowed me to cultivate my creative side and I am eternally grateful that I was able to experience this. While I may not have the greatest art skills, being in those classes taught me how to appreciate art and broadened my outlook on the ways art can influence people and society. 

At Westview, we are lucky enough to be attending a school that offers a wide variety of art classes; however, not all students throughout the state have the same opportunities to participate in these types of classes because art and music programs are typically the first to be removed when school budgets decrease. Thanks to my experience, I am able to recognize the importance of increasing the budget for art and music education in public schools and voting “yes” on Proposition 28. 

Proposition 28 will increase the state’s public school art and music program budget from $800 million to $1 billion annually. This proposition would focus more on schools that have a higher enrollment of students coming from lower-income families. Eighty percent of this budget would go toward the employment of more teachers for different types of art and music programs and the remaining 20% would go toward supplies. 

California law requires schools to offer visual and performing art classes from first to 12th grade; however, many of the programs are not the best quality, which discourages people from taking them. 

With all of the pressure in academic classes, having art and music classes allows students to destress. According to an article from US News, art education has close ties to students’ social and emotional development as they allow for more creativity and constructive assignments that don’t have a strict structure that has to be followed. There are no limits to what art is, and this gives students an area where they can use unique skills. 

Since Proposition 28 would affect the budget of all grades K-12, there would be better opportunities for kids at a younger age to find a new skill or hobby. 

While there is no official argument against this proposition on the voter’s guide, the people who are on the fence about voting “yes” are mostly worried about this increase of budget hurting other school programs. 

According to Cal Matters, California has had a recent surplus in the general fund, so presently, this proposition wouldn’t affect other programs. Additionally, programs such as sports in schools have an easier way of acquiring donations and revenue, as they are highly supported by many. Yet, art and music programs rarely ever receive the same support. As of now, the reasons to vote yes on Proposition 28 are overwhelmingly positive toward the future of students’ education.