California Ballot Measure to Increase Arts, Music Education Gains Momentum

Californians for Arts and Music Education in Public Schools have announced new support for the measure which would dramatically increase funding in arts and music education for students in Pre-K-12 public schools.

Funders from across California’s creative economy are joining educators, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs in supporting the 2022 ballot measure to increase funding for arts and music education in public Pre-K-12 schools. Early funders include Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and NBCUniversal as well committed individuals and public education advocates including Austin Beutner (founder and chairman of Vision To Learn and proponent of the initiative), Steve Ballmer (former Microsoft CEO and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers), Frank Baxter (former chairman of Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools), Chris Meledandri (founder and CEO, Illumination), and entrepreneur Sky Dayton (founder of EarthLink and Boingo).

The effort to gather signatures and put the initiative on the ballot is gaining momentum as Guitar Center has agreed to support signatures gathering efforts on their premises.

“As the largest retailer of musical instruments in California we have seen firsthand the transformative power of music education,” said Ron Japinga, CEO and president of Guitar Center. “We know that learning to make music is one of the most gratifying creative expressions possible. For children, music education builds social connection and cultural and emotional expression in a way that is important for personal development. We are thrilled to support this ballot measure which stands to foster the next generation of musicians and artists in the entertainment capital of the world, California. That is why all of our 43 stores in California will be signature gathering sites so we can get this important measure qualified for the ballot.