School districts fight for funding for fine arts programs amid budget cuts

School districts across Texas are continuing to fight for more state funding as many face steep budget deficits.

This has resulted in school closures, the elimination of positions, and modification of programs.

Fine arts education has taken a hit in years past, but our local school districts tell reporters that is currently not the case. In fact, many of them say they have expanded art and music as they’ve seen the significant role it plays in a student’s trajectory.

“I feel very happy being on stage doing what I love,” said Gabriel Lizárraga, a senior at Warren High School.

Hundreds of Northside ISD students have been practicing for multiple performances as part of the district’s 75th-anniversary convocation.

I feel like that’s the best part of being a part of this… is that other people get to enjoy us,” said Anaya Roberson, a junior at Marshall High School.

The large group is comprised of both middle and high school students involved in a range of fine arts programs, including dance, choir, theatre, and music.

“Being able to come together and hear all of our different songs – that maybe sound different when I’m on my own – and hear how many different individual voices come together,” said Anaya.

Fine arts teachers from across Northside ISD make up the creative team for the annual convocations. They told us whether it’s in their individual class or preparing for a performance, they can see the positive impact on students which carries beyond the classroom.

“They learn to trust themselves. They learn to trust the people around them, and they learn that they can do hard things,” said Denisse Wallace, dance teacher at Bernal Middle School, NISD.

The nonprofit, Texas Cultural Trust, prioritizes the protection of access to arts education. Research from their 2023 State of the Arts report showed Texas high school students, enrolled in more arts courses, are:

-up to 112% more likely to earn an exceptional score on standardized tests

-20% more likely to attend college

-42% more likely to attend a four-year college or university

Southwest ISD said that has proven to be true for students on their campuses.

“It’s not uncommon for us to have our top 10 graduates and three or four of them are fine art students,” said Richard Flores, executive director of fine arts, at Southwest ISD.

Richard Flores is the executive director of fine arts. His trajectory was a result of the role the arts played in his life. Flores said some of his former students have followed a similar path but even those that don’t, still reap the benefits.

“They still take those skills that they learned in fine arts, and they bring them to what they’re doing in life,” said Flores.

SWISD has a primarily Hispanic student population. They bring part of the culture into school through their mariachi program.

The district has a summer fine arts academy, where students can express their creativity in different ways. They are also in their third year of the Penguin Project, bringing those same opportunities to special needs students.

“This is a place where they can shine and flourish,” said Flores.

FOX SA caught back up with Northside as students showed off their hard work in celebration of the district’s 75th anniversary. They used their skills in fine arts to capture the district’s rich heritage and traditions.

“I’ve done a lot this summer, so pretty tired, but they taught me that, that’s okay and you can just keep going no matter what in life,” said Anaya.

For more information on the impact of fine arts education on students: https://issuu.com/txculturaltrust/docs/2023_state_of_the_arts_report