Agency: State Board of Education

Line Item: Fine Arts Outreach

Function

For more than 40 years, the Legislature has appropriated funding to assist the state's professional art organizations in providing educational programs in the public schools. The origins of the Fine Arts Outreach program date to the 1960's with the Utah Symphony, specifically, funding was appropriated ". . . To finance concerts in the public school districts. The appropriation is given to the Department of Public Instruction who will reimburse the orchestra for the cost of these programs" (Appropriations Report, 1970-71). In the years succeeding the original appropriation, the program has developed from its “concerts in the public schools" roots to providing direct informal instruction to students in the fine arts by practicing professionals.

The Fine Arts Outreach program enables Utah's non-profit professional art organizations to provide their expertise and resources in the teaching of the state's fine arts core curriculum. Participating organizations support and enhance the state curriculum by providing educational services such as, demonstrations, performances, presentations, teacher professional development, and activities in the public schools.

Each participating organization is required to provide private matching funds to support their education outreach program. These matching funds are in addition to the state funds received through the program. With the inclusion of Ballet West in 1972-73 (S.B. 17, 39th Legislature), the Legislature established that" . . . The school district[s] and the students shall not be charged for these concerts" (Appropriations Report, 1972-73). The free participation of students remains one of the central tenets of the program.

Program participants collaborate with the State Office of Education and the school community in planning the content of art education in the schools. The participants extend professional performances and presentations to students in the schools and at professional venues. The program ensures that each of the school districts receive services in a balanced and comprehensive manner over a three-year period. Charter schools also can participate and receive art outreach services if they choose.

The Fine Arts Outreach Program contains three operating-programs that collectively provide educational opportunities in the public schools. These programs include the Professional Outreach Program in the Schools (POPS), Fine Arts Request for Proposals (RFP), and the Fine Arts Subsidy.

Statutory Authority

Utah Code does not specifically establish the Fine Arts Outreach Program. Various actions taken by the Legislature, namely, bills, intent language and budget appropriations have continued the program over time. Statute enables the State Board of Education to establish minimum requirements for the public schools as well as the fine arts core curriculum. The following statutes direct the creation of these standards.

• UCA 53A-1-402 -- Directs the State Board of Education to establish standards for the public schools, including curriculum and instruction requirements of students.

• UCA 53A-1-402.6 -- Relating to UCA 53A-1-402, the Board shall implement a core curriculum that enables students to, among other objectives, identify the basic knowledge, skills, and competencies each student is expected to acquire or master.

Funding Detail

For more detail about a particular source of finance or organizational unit, click a linked entry in the left column of the table(s) below.

Program: Professional Outreach Programs

Function

Professional Outreach Programs (POPS) is the largest of the three programs and has ten participating organizations. POPS participants have fully developed outreach programs and have built the capacity to deliver these programs state-wide. Due to the state-wide delivery mandate of POPS participants, these organizations receive an ongoing allocation of state funding in order to provide a stable funding base.

A program review is conducted every four years to evaluate each organization's funding level and participation in the program. Participating professional organizations include: Ballet West, Children's Dance Theatre, Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Springville Museum of Art, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Utah Symphony, and Utah Opera.

Funding Detail

Program: Requests for Proposals

Function

The RFP program enables smaller, more regional, professional organizations to participate in art education delivery. These organizations participate in the RFP to develop educational programs geared to the state core curriculum and work to expand their capacity in providing a statewide education outreach program. Funding for the RFP program was eliminated during the 2009 General Session, impacting the FY 2010 budget.

RFP organizations may apply to move to the POPS program once they have successfully participated in the program for three years and demonstrated that they have a proven quality of service, fiscal responsibility and a core curriculum-based focus in their school program. The USOE has established guidelines for RFP organizations to transition to the POPS program. These regulations and eligibility requirements are established in rules passed by the State Board of Education and are the same for both the Fine Arts and Science Outreach RFP programs. Board Rule R277-444 details the distribution of state funding to art and science organizations.

Funding Detail

Program: Subsidy Program

Function

During the 2004 General Session, the Legislature created the Fine Arts Subsidy Program. An RFP participant wishing to move into the Subsidy Program must demonstrate to the State Board of Education: that the organization has participated in the RFP program for a number of years; that the participant has a proven record of success in providing valuable educational services in the public schools; and that due to a specific program requirement established for the POPS program, they do not qualify for entry into the program

The State Board of Education evaluates the proposal for entry into the subsidy program. The Board also determines individualized participation and reporting requirements for the new subsidy organization, and may seek additional funding from the Legislature to support the approved program.

Arts Inc. is the only professional organization participating in the subsidy program.

Funding Detail

The Fine Arts Outreach program is entirely funded with Education Funds. Appropriated revenues pass through the Utah State Office of Education to the participating non-profit organizations.