Hillsborough Save The Arts

04/04/2024

Great news! The Florida Seal of Fine Arts (HB 523) was signed by the Governor and will take effect on July 1, 2024! This graduation seal for high-achieving fine arts students recognizes the importance and rigor of quality arts education. Thank you to Governor DeSantis for signing the Florida Seal of Fine Arts bill and recognizing the importance of high-quality arts education in our schools. Thank you to Sens. Perry & Rouson and Reps. Canady & Black for sponsoring the bills, and to the numerous legislators who co-sponsored and supported the bills.

To learn more about the Florida Seal of Fine Arts and other advocacy resources, visit fmea.org/advocacy

02/08/2023

Please take action to stop bill HB1 which would decimate our schools and all of our outstanding music programs. By putting our tax dollars in privately run schools, the majority of Florida students will be choosing between poorly funded music and art programs or none at all. Please send a message to Florida legislators immediately!

https://all4schools.org/vouchers/?fbclid=IwAR3FjnK3N_fR8GZl-wajrjRO_GCs3tMNusuPDFYr37ePD63JoetnB0DDmU8

Support students, teachers and public schools. Tell your representatives to oppose voucher programs that cut $5 billion from public schools.

01/24/2023

One of the best parts of Hillsborough All-County Music is seeing the new hoodie and t-shirt designs 😉 How many are in your collection?

Thank you to all of the middle and high school directors and the amazing clinicians who worked with these students to give us a spectacular 2023 festival!

08/10/2022

The Millage Referendum earmarks funding for art and music as well as funds to expand these subjects to kindergarten. Early voting is underway now; Election Day is August 23.

07/21/2022

There is an opinion editorial in the Times today suggesting we don't need money from a millage because we will survive on what we have. This idea spreads the frightening rhetoric that leads to the defunding of Arts all over the country. We absolutely need to fund music and art, not only at a bare minimum with teachers stretched to their limits, but with enough to keep teachers thriving, valued, and happy. The Hillsborough County Public School district ranks 45th among Florida’s 67 districts in per pupil funding despite being the third largest in the state. Hillsborough is the only large district in Florida that has not passed a supplemental millage, standing alone even amongst smaller districts like Pinellas and Sarasota who have one in effect. We can and must do better.

After two years of advocating for the protection of art and music in Hillsborough county K-12, we have something on the table that could breathe new life into our art and music classes. The referendum up for vote would allow HCPS to hire more music and art teachers, giving back the stability and funding we desperately need for all students.

07/15/2022

After two years of advocating for the protection of art and music in Hillsborough county K-12, we have something on the table that could breathe new life into our art and music classes. The referendum up for vote would allow HCPS to hire more music and art teachers, giving back the stability and funding we desperately need for all students.

05/27/2022

Thank you Hillsborough Public School Advocates for creating this eye opening video.

02/03/2022

Bravo to all of the amazing school directors, guest conductors, and students who performed at the 2022 Hillsborough All County Music Festival!

01/22/2022

The Hillsborough All-County Music Festival takes place at Wharton High School this weekend. We are grateful to all of the teachers and students who make this amazing event possible each year. Feel free to share your pics here!

05/08/2021

Congratulations to all the young musicians performing today in the annual Hillsborough County All-County Music Festival!