Due to a low budget and an increase in students, advanced art class students had to pay a fee for the class for the first time.

Students had to pay a fee for advanced art classes for the first time this year due to a low art budget. 

“We have had a larger enrollment in art classes this year with two additional ceramic courses,” art teacher Judith Brown said. “These additional students and classes require the art budget to be increased.” 

Students paid $15-$25 to take ceramics class, depending on if they get a reduced or free lunch. Painting and drawing classes paid $10-$20.

“I am in two art classes,” sophomore art student Lydia Skiles said. “So, it’s more difficult to get the money for it because I have to pay double.”

Student fees and fundraisers will supplement the budget from the advanced art classes. Other art classes, like theater, do not pay a fee.

“Any budget cut affects our students,” theater director Greta Peterson said. “When teachers have to provide materials from their own pocket, it gets expensive after a while. Therefore, the student and their family has to find a way to make it work.”

Because of low funds and an influx in students, the amount of students able to participate in VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) will be lowered or possibly canceled.

“I think the school should supply more money for the art programs,” Skiles said. “It’s disappointing that this opportunity is being taken away from me and other people.”

As of right now, the low budget and student fees only affect the advanced art classes. The other classes, considered a part of the art department with theater and cosmetology, have been untouched.

“It deprives the art classes from expressing creativity,” Skiles said. “Us losing out on the field trip is terrible because it provides an abstract way of learning more about art.”