California Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Funding
Eligibility
All California public schools (TK-12) receive funding automatically. Private schools are not eligible. Funding flows to districts and charter schools based on enrollment size, with additional weight for schools serving low-income students and English learners.
- Eligible: California public TK-12 schools and districts
- At least 80% of funds must support arts instructor salaries
- Up to 20% is discretionary - available for supplies, materials, and training
- Schools with 500+ students must hire at least one dedicated arts teacher
Program Goals
Proposition 28, approved by California voters in November 2022, allocates 1% of the state's Proposition 98 K-12 education guarantee to arts and music programs. The intent is to restore arts education in schools that cut these programs due to budget pressures, and to expand access for all students.
California's arts standards include Media Arts - a strand that covers digital media, creative computing, and interactive design. Physical computing and coding projects qualify when connected to these standards.
Application and Distribution
No competitive application is required. The California Department of Education distributes funds automatically each fiscal year based on enrollment data. Districts and schools receive their allocation directly and must track spending to ensure compliance with the 80/20 spending requirement.
Grant Award Amount
Funding is approximately $1 billion statewide annually. Individual school allocations vary based on enrollment, ranging from roughly $100 to $600+ per pupil. Larger schools and those serving high-need populations receive proportionally more. Districts can see their estimated allocation on the CDE website.
Allowable Purchases
What You Can Buy with the 20% Discretionary Funds
The discretionary 20% portion of Prop 28 funds can cover supplies, materials, and training for arts education. Under California's Media Arts standards, digital and physical computing tools qualify when used for creative and expressive learning.
-
micro:bit Classroom Kits
Physical computing kits that let students build interactive art installations, light and sound projects, and creative coding experiences. Aligns with Media Arts standards for interactive design. -
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit
Introduces students to AI concepts through hands-on activities. Fits Media Arts standards around digital tools and computational thinking in creative contexts. -
Coding for Climate Kit
Project-based learning that blends science, data, and creative computing. Can be framed around arts-integrated STEM when combined with visual and media arts standards.
Keep in Mind
When purchasing STEM or coding tools, write a brief note showing how the purchase connects to California's Media Arts standards. This protects your spending during any audit.
Most of your Prop 28 funds must go to arts instructor salaries. Only 20% is available for materials. Plan your materials budget accordingly.
Funds arrive automatically. Check with your district office to confirm your allocation and spending timeline for the current year.
Smaller schools have more flexibility in how they structure arts programs, which can create more room for integrated STEM-arts approaches.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents - TEKS, Common Core, and state standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing - classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support - documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence - ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
Get the Grant Guide
