Board proclaims March Youth Art Month and hears Superintendent’s update on school arts programs

The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming March 2024 as Youth Art Month in Nevada County after a presentation by Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Scott Lay. Lay summarized local arts education efforts, including how Prop 28 funding will support arts teachers and Extended Learning Opportunities Program grants for after-school and summer arts instruction. He said Prop 28 allotments recently arrived and districts are planning creative staffing approaches because arts teacher credentials are scarce.

Lay described partnerships — Arts Council, Sierra College, In Concert Sierra and Art Docent programs — that provide teaching artists, volunteer docents and curriculum. He said arts participation helps attendance and emotional recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted upcoming events including a county STEAM expo that includes arts. Several supervisors praised hallway student exhibits and discussed music and instrument availability; the Board voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation. Public commenters from the Nevada County Arts Council described arts’ economic contribution and ongoing workforce-development efforts for creatives.