The state’s Arts Council has announced more than 1,000 grants statewide totaling $15 million. California’s plowing more money into the arts than ever before — but it’s not clear how long that will last.
The California Arts Council funds programs focused largely on veterans, former inmates and kids. The Council’s Director of Public Affairs Caitlin Fitzwater says this year’s record-setting budget will deliver new programs for pre-schools, as well as field trips, and after-school and summer programs.
“Young people, we know, want to come to school and stay in school in many cases, because they have arts programs,” Fitzwater said.
Tamara Alvarado heads the School of Arts & Culture at San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza, “providing high quality arts education primarily through mariachi music and Mexican folkloric dance.” The School is getting two grants, worth roughly $170,000, for arts education and creative place-making in San Jose.
“These are pretty significant for us,” Alvarado said.