The Los Angeles County Arts Commission announces $560,000 in grants to 31 school districts and one charter school network in Los Angeles County through the Advancement Grant Program. Administered by L.A. County’s arts education initiative, “Arts for All,” these grants are matched by school district funds and offer resources to advance high quality instruction in dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts.

“Arts for All” has supported districts in creating and carrying out strategic plans for arts education since 2003.

“We are committed to supporting school districts in their efforts to implement comprehensive K-12 arts education,” program director Denise Grande said. “These grants help districts address their most pressing needs.”

Designed to be both flexible and responsive to the shifting education landscape, the Advancement Grant Program is central to the “Arts for All” mission to help school districts build the necessary infrastructure to provide high quality arts instruction to all of L.A. County’s public school students.

Ranging from $10,000 to $20,800, 32 grants were given to districts in the “Arts for All” network to invest in developing long-term approaches for delivering arts instruction. This year’s funds support artist residencies in 12 school districts, teacher professional development opportunities in 15 districts, and six districts will develop arts integration programs in their schools.

“Arts for All” is the Los Angeles County initiative dedicated to making the arts core in K-12 public education. Established in 2002 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, “Arts for All” is a partnership between the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. “Arts for All” currently works with 59 of 81 Los Angeles County school districts, plus two charter school networks, to implement policies and plans that support high quality arts education for the 1.6 million public school students in the County. For more information, visit www.lacountyartsforall.org.