Prop 28 Arts & Music Funding
What California Schools Need to Know (& How to Use It for Art in Action)
Proposition 28 provides guaranteed, ongoing funding for arts and music education in every California public & charter school.
This page explains how Prop 28 works, how funding is calculated, what the requirements are, and how your school can use its allocation to bring high-quality visual arts instruction to students through Art in Action.
What is Prop 28?
• Requires California to dedicate at least 1 percent of the state’s K–12 funding toward arts and music education
• Guarantees ongoing, annual funding specifically for arts programs
• Ensures every school receives funding based on enrollment and student need
• Prioritizes equitable arts access for schools serving low-income communities
Prop 28 (The Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act) was approved by California voters in 2022 to increase access to arts education for TK–12 students. The initiative:
Ready to bring Art in Action to your school?
• Visual arts
• Music
• Theatre
• Dance
• Media arts
• Digital media & computer graphics
Prop 28 defines “arts education” broadly, including:
• Cultural arts
• Folk + traditional arts
• Any other arts discipline recognized by national standards
How Prop 28 Funding Is Distributed
Funding is automatically allocated each year to every qualifying school.
Distribution Formula
• 70% of funds are based on total student enrollment
• 30% is weighted for schools with higher numbers of low-income students
Who Receives Funds?
All California public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools qualify.
Your allocation is sent directly to your school or LEA through the California Department of Education.
Spending Requirements for Schools
Annual Reporting
Schools must submit an annual expenditure report showing:
• How funds were used
• What arts programs were offered
• How students were served
This report must also be made publicly available.
To maintain accountability and alignment with Prop 28 legislation, schools must meet specific spending guidelines:
80% Staffing Requirement
At least 80 percent of funds must be used to:
• Hire credentialed arts teachers
• Hire teaching artists
• Increase or retain existing arts staff
• Provide salaries + benefits for staff teaching arts
20% Materials & Supplies
Remaining funds may be used for:
• Art materials & supplies
• Curriculum
• Professional learning
• Arts partnerships
• Community arts programmings
Administrative Cap
Only 1 percent of funds may be used for admin costs.
Waiver Process (For Schools Under 500 Students)
If your school has fewer than 500 students, you may request a waiver to allow flexibility in spending (for example, if hiring a full-time arts teacher is not feasible).
This waiver must be approved by the California Department of Education
Waiver Resources:
📧 Email templates to send to LEA’s.
📝 Templates to check waiver status here.
🙋♀️ Email Katie if you have any Prop 28 Waiver questions.
Why Prop 28 Matters
Key Benefits for School Leaders
Prop 28 gives principals and district leaders the rare opportunity to secure:
• Guaranteed arts funding every year
• Sustainable staffing for arts teachers
• High-quality curriculum and supplies without draining general funds
• Improved student outcomes, including SEL, creativity, engagement, and fine motor development
• Culturally responsive programming that reflects diverse student populations
• Equitable access for high-need schools
This is a moment where schools can truly build or expand a strong arts program that benefits every child.
Using Prop 28 Funds for Art in Action:
Your Prop 28 allocation can be used to adopt Art in Action to deliver a complete, standards-based K–8 visual arts program.
Schools use Prop 28 dollars to cover:
• Curriculum subscriptions
• Training for teachers or volunteers
• Supplies & materials
• Additional art facilitation support
• Supplemental arts programming
We work with administrators to:
1. Identify your school’s Prop 28 allocation
2. Map funding usage to Prop 28 spending categories
3. Provide the necessary documentation for your expenditure plan
4. Train your staff or community volunteers
5. Implement a full art program quickly and sustainably
Art in Action is aligned with Prop 28 requirements, culturally inclusive, and adaptable for general ed, special ed, and community programming.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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Prop 28 is a California initiative that guarantees annual funding for arts and music education in public and charter schools.
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Funds can be used for art teachers, teaching artists, curriculum, supplies, and arts partnerships.
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Yes. Prop 28 funds can cover curriculum, materials, and professional learning — everything needed to run Art in Action.
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Schools under 500 students may request a waiver for flexibility in spending.
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Yes. Our curriculum is standards-aligned, culturally diverse, and supports both instructional staff and volunteer-led models.
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Email us at sales@artinaction.org
We’d love to get in touch and help you bring art to your students!
Start with requesting an expenditure plan with this template.
