Fine arts roundup: student honors, new Florida Seal of Fine Arts recipients and near-full spending of referendum arts budget
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Summary
District arts staff told the oversight committee that students earned statewide recognition, the district had 71 graduates who received the first Florida Seal of Fine Arts, and referendum-funded fine-arts positions and programs were largely spent in 24-25.
Brooke Hutto and other fine-arts staff updated the committee on July 17 about visual and performing arts activities and spending. Hutto said the Young in Art exhibit at the Appleton Museum displayed more than 342 pieces from K–12 teachers; district students received honors at the district and state level and the superintendent’s art show showcased 54 honorees. The nut graf: staff emphasized student recognition, statewide participation, and the role of referendum funding in sustaining arts teachers, paraprofessionals and programming; they reported a first cohort of graduates receiving the Florida Seal of Fine Arts. Highlights presented: Sarah Cox (Osceola Middle School) was selected as an Art in the Capital winner and displayed work in the state Capitol rotunda; Marion County hosted five all-county ensembles representing 520 musicians across 34 schools; 17 students participated in Florida All-State ensembles; and 2,593 student entries were recorded across band, vocal and auxiliary events in Florida School Music Association activities. Hutto noted the Florida Seal of Fine Arts was first implemented in state law this year; 71 graduating seniors in the district met the requirements and earned the seal. On budgets, the arts total revised budget was $4.8 million (art) and $5.2 million (music) for 24-25; staff reported nearly full expenditure rates (art: roughly 98%, music: about 97%). Ending: staff said the arts programs and community partnerships remain active and that final 24-25 expenditures will be included in the September report.