Schools Make Cuts To Fine Arts Programs

Arts funding has been scaled back in public schools across the nation.

Like many districts across the state of Texas, Austin ISD had to cut back on its fine arts programs.

A total of 14 positions were lost in the fine arts department in the 2011-2012 school year. Some of those cuts included band, theatre, art and choir positions.

Georgetown ISD fared well this year.

Of the 142 positions that were cut, none were fine arts positions. The district made $6 million dollars in cuts but say budgets were not slashed. Instead the district says it worked with departments to find ways to spend less money.

Educators like Yvette Carroll said cuts to fine arts could be devastating to a student's education and students agree.

“That's very, very saddening to me. If I didn't have art, I would probably die,” said 15-year old ASPVA student Cady Boyd.

With an artist's conviction, Boyd works on her biggest painting yet. She is in her first year at the Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She says she transferred to ASPVA for a reason.

“I went to a public school where the art program was severely lacking. And that was very frustrating to me,” said Boyd.

Executive Director Carol De Cardenas said most of the kids that attend ASPVA wanted and needed more from their fine arts programs.

“It is very disheartening to see the cuts that are being made, not just in the state of Texas but across the nation. We are an alternative and our focus is on the arts and I can tell you we will do our best to serve as many as we can,” said De Cardenas.

ASPVA does focus on academics. Students spend half of their day in the classroom setting and the other half focusing on art.

“We definitely take their academics more seriously. We take the arts very seriously and the students that come here are appreciative of being surrounded by like-minded individuals who have that same passion and drive to pursue the arts,” said De Cardenas.