School arts programs look to Jeff City and Topeka for money. What if it dries up? | Opinion

Remember the good old days of playing in high school band, singing in choir or playing a role in theater? What I mean is, were you a nerd like me? What about your children or grandkids? Nothing is as charming as seeing the little munchkins on stage, right?

While you’re cooing and taking photos, you might not be thinking about who paid for arts education. Depending on the school, those arts opportunities might have been funded through charitable donations or financed by the state.

“State funding? Horrors!” I hear some of you say.

Calm down. Our state tax dollars don’t fund the arts in school anymore, right?

Yes, they do. But just how much can depend on a lot of things.

Before and since the pandemic, Missouri, Kansas and other states typically receive elementary and secondary school funding through federal programs.

States, not the federal government, decide how to deploy those funds.

A pandemic boost to creative budgets

General arts funding during the pandemic got a proverbial shot in the arm like a COVID-19 vaccine. The federal government distributed millions of dollars in COVID relief to arts and culture in communities around the country. Schools’ arts programs got some of that, too.

Here, in the heartland. But it didn’t last forever. Who’s paying now?

Is the munchkins’ cultural education important enough to pay out of your own tax pocket? It’s a fair question in this current legislative session in both Missouri and Kansas, and an election year.

According to a study from SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University, Jackson County received nearly $230 million in pandemic relief for general arts funding (including schools) and Johnson County received nearly $137 million by the end of 2022.

Nearly every county in the nation received funding, with amounts ranging from as little as $555 to as high as $3.5 billion. The money went to arts and cultural institutions’ payrolls, as well as to awards made to a number of arts and culture establishments.

But that money didn’t flow forever. Is funding the arts in schools worth it?

Topeka high school choir impressed

The idea for this column came to me in December, when a friend and I went to hear Handel’s “Messiah” at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. As I took my seat, the opening act began to sing.

It was a student choir from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka. I watched teacher and conductor Ben Holcomb direct the students, and I listened to the voices sing difficult selections, such as “Through Love to Light” and “Bright Morning Star.”

My mind raced. How did this school manage such an incredible music program? I mean, these students could really sing.

Then I had the faulty thought. Wait, isn’t arts funding at public schools on the decline?

So I started digging. The answer is nope, not here, anyway.

Missouri Arts Council Executive Director Michael Donovan acknowledged the bump in federal pandemic funding — “We benefited from that” — and said while the Missouri state budget had been static for nine years, the council’s budget went from $4.8. to $6.7 million. And the 2023-24 fiscal year increased it to $9.8 million.

Donovan said he knows the budget might not always be this high, depending on Jefferson City politicians’ views, especially in an election year.

Students’ personal lives enriched

Is arts education important? I asked the students from Washburn, whose lilting voices I so enjoyed. After they roundly gave all the credit to their teacher and conductor, they began to talk about what their arts experience means to them.

When describing what they get out of choir, these young people talked about interpersonal skills and managing stress.

Sophomore Audrey Appuhn said music has been a gateway “into managing other classes and even sports. Just being around people can be stressful. I feel like music has really given me a community.”

Senior Koby Kirk described joining choir as a way to build “a skill of confidence that leaks into your personal life. This grows your social skills and takes you further in life.”

Kailer Megrail, also a senior, said choir increases “emotional intelligence. I focus on what I’m feeling and not just lashing out. It would be a lot harder.”

I was impressed by these thoughtful students.

Sarah VanLanduyt, executive director of the Johnson County Arts Council, said the benefits of funding arts education in schools are plentiful.

“It helps build community. It helps build connections. It helps with critical thinking skills. It’s a great way to learn collaboration. It boosts confidence … those soft social skills that make students valuable to the future workforce,” she said.

Donovan agreed. “Our goal is to strengthen arts in the classroom because schools that are using that find they have higher attendance and better test scores.”

After the federal government kicks in funding, legislators in Jefferson City and Topeka figure out how much to dole out. Organizations such as the Missouri Arts Commission and the General Operating Support grant program in Kansas provide additional funding for public and private nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that supplement what the schools are doing.

Donovan described it this way. “When I look at art education, there’s a big difference between states. In Missouri, there are state requirements for art, music in the classrooms. So when we look at our funding what we’re trying to do is supplement (what is) already there.”

Alternate view: Government strings attached

Not everyone believes the arts should be publicly funded. Nick Gillespie, editor at large of the libertarian magazine Reason, says no to the question. Gillespie describes himself as someone who loves the arts, culture and humanities, but believes there is a harm to government funding.

“Few people would agree funding the arts with tax dollars is a core function of government, on a par with providing a legal system and basic infrastructure,” he said.

With public funding comes division and “political strings attached, thus restricting the creative expression of the recipients,” he said.

“As a fan of punk music and experimental theater that is generally disliked even by my closest friends and loved ones, I would never dream of asking the taxpayers to chip in to help cover my aesthetic interests.”

He goes on to posit that relying on ticket sales, donations and patrons means that no one is forced to subsidize art or expression they dislike.

I guess it all depends on what your definition of basic amenities is. Of course, people must have access to shelter, food, clean water and education. But if the arts help support learning and help students have a better, isn’t it a necessary — if not basic — amenity, too?

Ask your state legislators what they think about arts funding in your school district. And if you agree with me, ask for the budget numbers for the upcoming fiscal year.

Remember, engaging with the state, school districts and schools can make a difference in the decisions on how these federal funds will be used.

Wonder what arts courses are available in your state?

Arts Courses in Missouri (search for “fine arts)

Arts courses in Kansas (beginning on page 55)