Funds Earmarked for Arts Partnership

A community arts program has received nearly $1.2 million in federal funding that will be used to create 10 teleconferencing sites to connect high school students throughout Los Angeles County, officials said Tuesday.

In its 11th year, the Community Arts Partnership of the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita has involved 85,000 students, mainly from underserved parts of Los Angeles County. The program offers 27 free classes ranging from graphic design and public art to theater, photography and music lessons. All necessary equipment, such as cameras and musical instruments, is provided free to the students.

News that Congress passed the 2001 Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations Act on Friday, which included $1.17 million for the program, was met with delight by program administrators.

“We’re still in shock,” said Glenna Avila, the partnership’s director. “It’s totally incredible.”

Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills)--joined by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles) and the late Rep. Julian Dixon (D-Los Angeles)--had written to the House Appropriations Committee urging funding for the program.

The federal funds will help set up 10 digital arts labs, in which students in different parts of the county will work on art projects via teleconferencing.