California Proposition 28 • Arts & Music in Schools
More music.
More students.
More possibility.
Proposition 28 is an opportunity to expand music education in California. Understand the funding, start a conversation, and explore how B.A.C. can help your approved instrument budget reach more students.
For California music directors, educators, administrators, and purchasing teams.
B.A.C. not on your district’s list? We can help you find the next step →
The opportunity
What is
Proposition 28?
A lasting investment in arts education—and an opportunity to welcome more students into music.
Approved by California voters in 2022, Proposition 28 created the Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. It provides ongoing annual funding to expand arts learning in eligible public schools, including charter schools and qualifying public preschool programs.
Music is one part of this broader investment, alongside dance, theatre, visual arts, and media arts. Your school’s plan determines how instruments support that expanded instruction.
Sources: California Education Code §8820 · CDE FAQs
The 2026–27 statewide allocation is $1,060,951,000. Each school receives a different amount, and only the locally approved portion may be available for instruments.
The formula allocates 70% by enrollment and 30% by economically disadvantaged enrollment. School amounts vary.
The California Department of Education (CDE) distributes funding automatically through school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools. These are known as local educational agencies, or LEAs. Ask your arts or business office about your school’s allocation.
Why B.A.C. is here to help
Building a community
through music.
Every day, we work to make music more accessible—and to help schools give more students a place to learn, create, and belong.
Our mission is to make a lasting difference for schools, families, and musicians through quality instruments that can be repaired, maintained, and played for years. We want students to have instruments that encourage their creativity and support them as they grow.
That commitment shapes how we work with educators: listening to the needs of each program, helping directors choose instruments for their students, and staying connected beyond the purchase.
Selling direct helps us put that mission into practice.
Working directly with B.A.C. removes the traditional dealer layer between the manufacturer and your school. It connects you with our team and helps more of your approved budget go toward the instruments your students need.
For your Proposition 28 plan, we can help prioritize a wish list, discuss suitable models and quantities, and prepare an itemized quote. Bring your goals—even if your budget is still taking shape.
Explore our mission and story →B.A.C. Musical Instruments
Explore brass and woodwind instruments for students at different stages of their musical journey.
EXPLORE B.A.C. →825 Marching
Explore marching brass, battery percussion, and front ensemble equipment for your program.
EXPLORE 825 MARCHING →We’ll help you compare instrument options and total delivered costs. Savings vary by model, quantity, and order details.
From funding to instruments
How much can our program
use for instruments?
Proposition 28 supports the whole arts program. Your school’s total allocation and its available instrument budget are different numbers. Here’s how to find the number you can plan around.
Start with your business office.
Ask what your school has available for instruments after staffing and other arts needs are included in the spending plan.
Most spending supports teaching staff.
For LEAs with 500 or more students, at least 80% of spending from an allocation must pay certificated or classified employees who provide arts instruction, unless CDE approves a waiver. Up to 20% can cover other permitted costs, including eligible instruments.
Bring us the instrument budget.
Once your purchasing team confirms the amount, B.A.C. can help turn it into an instrument list and quote. You can also contact us earlier to explore options.
The purpose is to expand access. Prop 28 must add to existing arts funding. Instruments must support an eligible arts education plan, and your LEA confirms purchase eligibility.
Official guidance: CDE FAQs · CDE spending examples · Education Code §8820
Help with district purchasing
Don’t see B.A.C. on your district’s approved list?
Let’s help you find the next step.
Interested in our instruments, but unsure what your district needs before you can purchase? Tell us your school or district and the requirements you’ve been given. We can help identify the information needed for vendor setup, instrument review, or an available cooperative purchasing option.
You don’t need to know the process before reaching out. Your district makes the final decisions on product acceptance, funding eligibility, and purchasing approvals.
Start with what your school needs.
Adding B.A.C. as a vendor?
We can help with business information and the paperwork your purchasing office requests.
Need an instrument reviewed?
Ask us for model specifications, warranty details, and parts and repair information for your district’s review.
Looking for a purchasing option?
We can help your purchasing team explore applicable cooperative contracts and ordering requirements.
Here to help you get started
Let’s talk about your music program.
Have a question about instruments, buying direct, or getting B.A.C. considered by your district? Tell us a little about your school and any purchasing requirements. You don’t need a final budget or instrument list to reach out.
A few practical questions
Planning your next step.
How do I find our school’s funding?
Start with the CDE funding allocations, then ask your school or district business office to confirm your current balance and instrument budget. Published allocations do not show what your school has already spent or committed.
What if our school has fewer than 500 students?
The exemption depends on total LEA enrollment, not campus size. LEAs below 500 students are exempt from the 80% staffing minimum. Other requirements still apply. A small campus in a larger district should confirm its spending plan with the district.
How long do we have to use the funds?
Each annual allocation can be used for up to three fiscal years. For example, the 2024–25 allocation’s spending window ends June 30, 2027. Ask your business office which allocation will pay for the purchase and its deadline. A new allocation does not extend an older one.
What if our LEA needs a staffing waiver?
Your LEA can request an allocation-specific waiver through CDE’s AMS Portal. CDE must approve it; a request alone does not change the spending rules. See current CDE waiver guidance.
Do we need a final budget or instrument list to contact B.A.C.?
No. Tell us what you want to offer students, what your program is missing, and what questions you have. We can discuss options now and prepare a quote when you are ready. Your purchasing team remains responsible for funding and order approvals.
Can we consider B.A.C. if it isn’t on our district’s approved list?
Possibly. Your district may need to add B.A.C. as a vendor, review a particular instrument model, or confirm an acceptable purchasing contract. Request purchasing support and share the list or requirements you were given. We can help identify the next step and supporting information your purchasing team needs. Approval remains with your district.
Does a cooperative contract replace our district’s approvals?
No. An applicable cooperative contract may provide a purchasing option, but your district still determines whether it can use the agreement and whether the instruments and funding are appropriate. Explore our BuyBoard contract or ask our team for help.
Funding guidance reviewed September 14, 2026. Read the full CDE FAQs for additional requirements, including reporting and the 1% administrative-cost cap.
Here for your music program
Have questions?
Let’s start there.
Whether you’re learning about Proposition 28 or ready to plan a purchase, we’d like to hear what your students need.
Tell us about your school, your goals, and any questions about instruments, buying direct, or getting B.A.C. considered by your district. We’ll help you explore what your approved budget could make possible.
Fill out our short inquiry form, or contact our team directly. You don’t need a finished list or final budget to begin.
Connect with the B.A.C. team.
Directors, educators, administrators, and purchasing teams are welcome.
Email mickey@bacmusic.com
Already have an instrument list? Build a quote →
Official Proposition 28 resources
General planning information. Your LEA determines eligibility and purchasing approvals; CDE provides official program guidance. B.A.C. helps with instrument planning, product questions, and quotes.