Arts Education is Creativity in the Classroom. This Organization is Restoring Arts in our Schools.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...What happens when a community decides the arts aren’t a luxury — they’re essential?In this episode, I sit down with Allison Cagley, Executive Director and the driving force behind Friends of Sacramento Arts, an organization leading the charge to restore arts and music education in public schools across our region.We talk about what was lost after Prop 13, what’s possible through Prop 28, and why this moment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Sacramento’s students.This conversation goes far beyond paintbrushes and pianos.We explore:Why arts education impacts graduation rates, attendance, and student engagementHow creativity fuels workforce readiness and economic developmentThe long game of advocacy — and why patience and persistence matterThe real challenges of implementing Prop 28 fundingWhat it looks like when students finally have access to choir, band, theater, and visual artsAllison shares how this small but mighty nonprofit has navigated pandemic pivots, state-level partnerships, and school district bureaucracy to keep one bold vision alive:Arts every day. For Every child. In Every school.We also talk about the deeper human impact — the moment when a child beams on stage, when parents from 15 different cultures gather in a school cafeteria to watch their kids shine, and when students say, “The only reason I come to school is my drama class.”That’s not enrichment.That’s belonging.If you care about Sacramento’s future — its culture, workforce, and community vibrancy — this episode matters.About Friends of Sacramento ArtsFriends of Sacramento Arts advocates for equitable, comprehensive arts and music education in public schools. Through policy engagement, statewide partnerships, and community leadership, they are working to ensure every student has access to meaningful arts learning opportunities.🔗 Learn more: https://friendsofsacramentoarts.org🎉 Arts Education Month Celebration: Every MarchThank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story!  We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/  And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.