On November 7, Burbank Arts For All Foundation (BAFA) presented the Burbank Unified School Board with a check for $28,012, its largest check to date, to fund a variety of arts education programs at local public schools. Trena Pitchford, BAFA Director of Development, noted in her presentation that BAFA received 37 grant applications totaling more than $87,000 in requests for the Fall funding cycle – the highest number of submissions since the foundation began several years ago.
Each year, BAFA runs two grant cycles, accepting applications from individuals at BUSD schools seeking funding for a range of arts education programs. The funds are augmented with more than $52,000 from BUSD’s Arts For All plan and parent-driven booster club and PTA units, in order to support programs impacting more than 10,000 BUSD students.
“This is a huge celebration of our partnership with you and our parent community,” commented Ms. Pitchford, addressing the School Board members at the recent Thursday evening School Board meeting. She noted that total funding to BUSD since BAFA’s creation in 2006 has now surpassed $228,000.
Grants supported from the 2013 Fall funding cycle will support Elementary school music and theater education and Middle School English Language Learning integration with performing arts and arts integration integration in Geometry and game design/digital technology.
Middle and High School musical instrument replenishment, Auditorium upgrades, kilns and kiln supplies are also funded, along with High School Culinary arts, artists in residency programs and an entire 11th grade level arts integration project in English, Arts in European History and Sculpture classes.
Ms. Pitchford noted that the total funding also includes a gift to purchase new musical instruments to Burbank High School, in honor of Mr. Hal Wetherwax, who taught music at BHS for many years.
City of Burbank Arts in Public Places funds will also be used to support the Muir Middle School tile wall project connecting mathematical and geometric concepts and a BHS project for student created mosaic murals and installation.
The $28,012 helps to fund 20 of the 37 grant applications and is combined with funds from the district and parent-led partner groups. $102,570 is the total amount needed to fund the 20 programs. Ms. Pitchford added, “There is such a great need for arts education funding and the Foundation looks forward to increasing our grant funds in the coming years.”
- (L to R) Patty Dagata, Fatima Morales, Stacy Cashman, Alexandra Helfrich, BAFA Board Member; Larry Applebaum, BUSD Board of Education member, Roberta Reynolds, BUSD Board of Education member, Trena Pitchford, Director of Development BAFA; Carrie Brown, Chair Board of Directors BAFA, Judy Shalhoub, Peggy Flynn, BUSD District Arts Coordinator; Debra Lack, Nancy Martin, Vice Chair BAFA Bob Mohler, Melissa Pamperin, John Ossiff, BUSD Superintendent Dr. Jan Britz, Chris DeMore and Judy Dellinger. (Photo Courtesy of BAFA)
