The city of Sedona added money to its 2012-13 budget to increase the monetary support of the Artist in the Classroom program to $10,000.

“I think it’s wonderful the city is so supportive of this program, particularly since the art teachers have been cut to half time,” said Nancy Robb Dunst, the arts education coordinator for the city. “This program has been well-accepted in the schools, and the teachers love it, and, of course, so do the kids.”

The additional money allows Dunst to add more artists for this school year, giving children, teachers and the artists more opportunities.

Artist in the Classroom provides arts education to students in the Sedona-Oak Creek School District. Artists receive an hourly stipend and are chosen for their artistic merit, experience and desire to work with students. The artists lead students through projects like historic period dance, illustration of student-authored books, study of ocean environments, study of shapes and textures, print making and weaving, creative writing, mural painting, mask making, storytelling, tile making and many other art mediums.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 8, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.