01/08/2025 -
To realize the vision of Proposition 28 and ensure every Sonoma County student has access to a high-quality arts education, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), Creative Sonoma, and School Gig are teaming up to help schools and districts hire arts educators.
Proposition 28, which California voters passed in 2022, provides nearly $1 billion in new annual funding for arts and music education in TK-12 public schools. This joint effort by SCOE, Creative Sonoma, and School Gig aims to help local schools and districts make the most of Prop. 28 funding by identifying and developing quality arts educators.
A Unified Vision for Arts Education
As part of this joint effort, each partner is making the following commitments:
SCOE will engage with educational leaders and community partners to support equitable arts education initiatives, offer professional development for teachers and administrators to ensure high-quality instruction, and provide fiscal information to guarantee compliance with state requirements. Through strategic partnerships with local organizations and a commitment to community engagement, SCOE seeks to maximize the impact of Prop. 28 funding and ensure that all students in Sonoma County have access to comprehensive, standards-based arts education that supports creative learning and cultural expression.
Creative Sonoma, the county’s local arts agency, will collaborate with arts organizations, practicing artists and teaching artists, schools, school arts teachers and leaders, and the community to inform county residents about Prop 28 and help school districts plan for intentional and appropriate use of the new funding. Creative Sonoma recently launched #TEACHtheARTS, a workforce campaign to increase the number of arts educators available for new jobs. As part of this effort, Creative Sonoma has partnered with Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College to provide a College and Career Pathways in the Arts event on Feb. 1.
School Gig, an online platform dedicated to helping artists transition into education roles, will focus on recruiting qualified artists to meet the demand for new arts educators and assisting schools and districts with hiring these educators.
School Gig plans to make its platform free for schools and districts to post jobs and interview applicants.
“Not a single dollar of Prop. 28 funds should be wasted on job posts that don’t result in putting a new arts educator in front of Sonoma County students,” said School Gig Head of Growth Joelle Ayala. “To make sure all Prop. 28. funds are used to their fullest potential, we are removing any up-front costs associated with hiring arts educators.”
Nzinga Woods, coordinator for visual and performing arts and equity and ethnic studies at SCOE, and Creative Sonoma Arts Education Manager Debbie Yarrow said they look forward to seeing the fruits of this partnership reflected in Sonoma County’s classrooms.
"This partnership beautifully reflects our dedication to providing equitable access to high-quality arts education for every student in Sonoma County,” Woods said. “Together, we will harness the power of Prop. 28 funding to co-create vibrant artistic experiences that inspire creativity, foster inclusivity, and develop critical thinking and innovation skills in our schools."
“In providing a connection for schools and school districts to arts educators, this collaboration will accelerate and ensure that all students benefit from the historical potential of Prop 28,” Yarrow said.
For information about how Prop. 28 is transforming arts education in Sonoma County or to learn more about arts education funding, click here.
