To emphasize President Drescher's letter, the arts are our future! That’s why I’m asking you to Vote YES on California Proposition 28 on the November 8 ballot. If passed, Proposition 28 will funnel nearly $1 billion annually in new funding to arts and music education in our PreK-12 public schools. All without raising taxes!
As a graduate of the High School of Performing Arts in NYC, and a proud product of the public school system, I experienced first hand how arts in the public schools fosters not only creative and cognitive thinking but citizens who are open to a wide swath of possibilities in their life!
A good education might start with language and math, science and history, but it is not complete without the arts, and right now, too many California school children are getting shortchanged.
When state budgets get tight, arts and music programs are often the first to go. As a result, barely 1 in 5 California elementary schools have a full-time arts and music program.
Our children deserve an opportunity to discover and develop their creative talents and research shows that students in arts classes tend to do better in other subjects and are less likely to miss school!
Right now, we have the chance to make the biggest change in arts education right here in the state that houses the world’s greatest creative economy.
Do your part to advance art and music education in California public schools by pledging to #VoteYesOn28.
And help spread the word! Check out our social media toolkit at sagaftra.org/yeson28.
Share YOUR story on social media, like I did mine.
Tell us how arts and music enriched your childhood and include the hashtag #VoteYesOn28
VOTE YES on PROP 28 and let’s make the future of California’s kids BRIGHT!
Moving forward, all good things,
Jodi Long
Los Angeles Local President