NEW YORK—The city will hire 100 teachers, spruce up arts facilities in schools across the city, and spend $3.1 million on classroom supplies—all part of a $23 million investment meant to boost art education in public schools.
The funding was partially allocated in response to a report issued by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, which found that 419 schools in the city lack a full-time, certified arts teacher.
“The idea here is to take a big step forward toward providing universal arts and culture education. This was the step we could take this year; we intend to do more going forward,” de Blasio told Epoch Times at a press conference held at the Bronx Museum of Arts.
Of the total pot, $4.7 million will be used to hire 100 arts teachers. In addition, the city will spend $360,000 in partnership with Lincoln Center to train 20 new arts teachers.
Auditoriums, dance floors, choral risers, and other arts facilities will be upgraded to the tune of $7.5 million. Meanwhile, some 3,000 full-time certified art teachers will each receive $1,000 to spend on art supplies, studio materials, and equipment.
“The arts in many, many ways, particularly in middle school, make kids come to school,” Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said.
De Blasio said that his only involvement in the arts as a high school student was to play a police lieutenant in a school play. He said the experience taught him about camaraderie.
