Frequently asked questions
Answers to questions about our organization,
our work, partnerships, funding, and more...
ABOUT BLOOM
What does the Bloom Arts Foundation do?
We provide music and dance classes to schools with limited arts funding by offering complete programs or supplementing existing ones. Our goal is ensuring every child has access to arts education, regardless of background or circumstances.
What do programs cost?
We offer a sliding scale to schools based on their needs. These relationships can include community discounts that offer a percentage off the total price, or zero-cost partnerships. Get in touch through our contact page to discuss how we might collaborate together through a partnership. We want to help serve your students.
What are the advantages of working with Bloom Arts?
We have proven educational experience along with all required district insurance, safety procedures, and contracts. We also provide full-time administrative support to schools for all logistics and scheduling so nothing is added to your plate. Easy peasy!
What is unique about Bloom Arts?
Our music and dance curriculum goes beyond notes, scales, and rhythms to build community, empathy, and cultural understanding. It develops students' confidence and social-emotional skills while connecting them to a bigger world that shapes how they understand themselves and each other. We also help teachers integrate music and dance into their everyday school culture.
How does Bloom help my school directly?
In a few different ways - we’re flexible! If you have no music or dance program, we can provide one through partnership. If you have limited programs we can supplement your offerings to provide experiences for students they would otherwise lack. We also offer school-wide assemblies to reach all learners through our fun, interactive sessions.
Why should my school trust you?
We have partnerships with schools across L.A. county and have a diverse roster of teachers with a variety of experiences and backgrounds. Each teacher is fully vetted, complete with background checks and fingerprinting. We have also received incredibly positive feedback from students, teachers, and administrators we have worked with that you can read here.
ABOUT PROP 28
Can Prop 28 Funding be applied towards Bloom programs?
YES! While Prop 28 funding primarily supports full-time arts educators, schools can allocate 20% of their funds to outside providers like Bloom Arts. Schools may also apply for a waiver to use a greater portion of Prop 28 funds for contracted programs if they cannot hire full-time arts staff. Contact us to learn more about the waiver process.
Why use Prop 28 for Bloom?
Because Prop 28 allocations are often modest, administrators need high-impact investments. Bloom programs maximize those resources by providing:
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Specialized teaching artists in music, dance, and cultural traditions
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International programs connecting students across continents.
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Proven impact on joy, belonging, and student engagement
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Flexibility to complement and strengthen existing arts instruction.
Bloom helps schools stretch Prop 28 funding beyond a single hire, bringing world-class, culturally-responsive programs that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
What if our Prop 28 funds are already committed elsewhere?
Even if your school's Prop 28 allocation is already committed, multiple pathways exist to bring Bloom Arts programs to your students. Many current partners fund Bloom programs through:
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PTA/PTO support - parent organizations often fund programs that enrich school culture and student experience
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Title I funds - schools serving high percentages of low-income students can apply these resources toward programming
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District-level funding and grants - districts can allocate arts budgets centrally to support programs across multiple schools
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Education foundations and community grants - frequently used to underwrite Bloom programming
Our team collaborates with administrators to explore available funding streams and strategize the best approach for your school.
ABOUT programs
What programs do you offer students?
We offer weekly classes for individual grades and school-wide assemblies, both rooted in our culturally-informed curriculum. Learn more about school programs.
Do you work with all students?
100%. Part of our core mission is to support each student's unique needs. This has led us to develop some incredible programs for partner schools including our bilingual Spanish/English music program as well as our drumming and movement program for visually impaired students.
When do classes take place & how long is the program?
We bring our experience directly to students in their classrooms during the school day. This approach reaches more students than after-school programs, which often face transportation and accessibility barriers. Classes meet once a week for a minimum of 10 weeks. We encourage schools to partner with us for 25 weeks so their students can receive the full benefits of our programs throughout the school year. Learn more about our school programs.
Are there any performances for parents or the community?
Our schools often love showcasing the Bloom music and dance classes and it is up to each school to determine whether they wish to host a community performance at their school.
Do you work with teachers?
YES! We offer professional development to help teachers integrate music and dance into their classrooms. These workshops can supplement our school programs or be offered independently.
What is Futures in Tune?
Futures in Tune is our international program connecting elementary students across continents through music. We foster collaboration, friendship, empathy, and curiosity across cultures by funding instruments and weekly classes for students who lack these opportunities.
ABOUT partnerships
How does a partnership with a school work?
We meet with school administrators to assess your educational needs and identify gaps that Bloom can fill through our multicultural music and dance programs. We then develop customized offerings that support your students' arts education and school goals. Contact us to discuss partnering together. We would love to hear from you.
Where have you partnered already?
We have ongoing partnerships with L.A., Pasadena, Glendale, and Culver City Unified school districts serving over 40 schools in L.A. County.
Do you operate only in Los Angeles?
While our focus is on local L.A. County schools, our international program, Futures in Tune, allows us to spread our mission to other countries, helping connect even more students with transformative music and dance education - creating opportunities they would otherwise not have access to.
ABOUT getting involved
What are the different ways I can make a financial gift?
You may make a one-time, monthly, or annual gift using a variety of digital payment options. We also offer options for payment by check, publicly traded stock, and donations from Donor Advised Funds. Go directly to our donate page to make a contribution or to learn more.
How are funds utilized?
70% supports our weekly music and dance classes in L.A. County
10% supports Futures in Tune our international program
8% supports our Interactive Assemblies
7% supports fundraising and administration
5% supports teaching artist training and development
Are there other ways to get involved?
YES! We are always looking for talented music and dance educators to join our growing team of teaching artists. You can learn more about teaching opportunities here. We also work with volunteers as well as corporate sponsors who help support our work.
Contact us to discuss ways we might partner together.