Fund Artist in Schools

The current annual budget funds AIS programming for about 25% of Kenai Peninsula schools.

Bunnell Street Arts center is the primary provider of Artist in the Schools (AIS) for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD). State funding for the Artist in Schools programming maxes out at about $12,000 for Bunnell, which typically serves about 12 schools. KPBSD has 42 schools.

The program is thriving and we are ambitious.

• Since 2001, Bunnell has provided 157 Artist in Schools units.
• Presenting units in ALL media, including indigenous art native to Alaska.
• Every dollar raised will be matched by private foundation grants.

We connect participating schools with professional artists to foster an arts-impassioned district through AIS programming. Every AIS program offers professional development for teachers and for artists.

Help double hands-on art access to kids in our district.

• For many years, Jazzline provided a third of additional funding needed to serve 6-8 schools. 
• Without Jazzline, we are limited to about 12 schools per year. 
• This campaign will double this program's capacity to reach more.

It's an ambitious, multi-year effort to double the size of Bunnell's Artist in Schools program over five years and implement our commitment to promoting Alaska's diverse contemporary cultural heritage.

Double your donation with a 1 : 1 match 

We want to double the annual number of schools we serve, especially in rural and remote parts of the peninsula- and your donation will get us there. Each contribution will provide a 1:1 match from private foundation grants. 

We can get there with your help.

Be a part of building a better youth art education for Alaskans.

“Traditionally, and due to a lack of certified arts specialists, KPBSD schools have heavily participated in AIS programs through Bunnell Street Art Center. By partnering with Bunnell we are able to provide arts experiences for students that align with our art curriculum content, and give students arts opportunities that might not otherwise have happened." Debbie Harris, KPBSD art specialist

"Learning opportunities come in many forms and fashions: the arts connection remains one of the strongest." Kim Fine, Fireweed Academy

“Several of the top highlights of my career in education have been associated with Artists in School projects.” Todd Hindman Principal, Fireweed Academy

“The AIS program that Bunnell Street Art Center provides is a most important program, crucial to the healthy development of the community's children.” Jocelyn Shiro, Teaching Artist

"Students in these two isolated, rural K-12 schools have little exposure to artists in general, especially to those outside the village..." Nancy Kleine Principal, Nanwalek Elementary and High school

More on our website.