Many classes in the art department, especially film photography, have had to make changes in the classroom as a result of the school budget cuts made earlier this year.

“It’s definitely changed how I have to order. I’m not getting as much money so then I don’t need to order as much supplies,” Josh Davis, art teacher, said. “It’s a good thing that I’ve been building up on stuff because then with the amount that I got this year, I’m able to take my stockpile and just kind of run it til the end. So I’ll be good til the end of the semester.”

Although all the departments in the school have received a shortage in what they can spend, film photography has been subjected to more noticeable differences due to their dependence on supplies.

“I need at least $2100 to $2200 to run photo each semester. That just covers photo paper, film, chemicals, and basic room supplies. That doesn’t cover camera repairs or replacement, or bag and tripod replacement and anything that can and does show up,” Davis said. “Each year we get less and less, causing us to be able to continually do more with less. This semester I only had around $450 to spend, and Mr. Moreno threw some of his my way cause he know how much it all costs.”

Since the effects of these shortfalls in supply would be evident to the students, Davis decided to show his students the sum cost of each supply they order per semester, and compare the amount they need to what they actually were given.

“They’ve been upset, not so much with me but with the system itself. Once I showed them how much everything costs versus how much I got, then they were very much understanding of where I was coming from and it’s made them be more cautious with the supplies,” Davis said. “Then there’s been other kids who have mentioned things about running fundraisers for the arts and things like that. So for the most part I think it’s been a positive eye awakening moment.”

These changes made in the classroom demonstrate the money loss and is obvious in their daily routine. Art students now have to also be more careful with how they use their limited amount of supplies.

“Just knowing that we don’t have the money to replace supplies if we happen to mess up or need to remake prints or stuff, it pushes you to try to do everything right the first time and just think about what you’re doing instead of just going through the motions,” Carley Sullivan, junior, said.

The school offers both film and digital photography to be available for students choosing electives to enroll in their schedule. The cuts made in the budget now threaten the future of having film as an option for those who are interested.

“I think next year we’re going to go to digital from film,” Chase Hochard, sophomore, said. “It would be nice to do digital photography since that is the way the world is going, but photography is also a neat way to learn film.”

As an elective, the art classes are chosen by the students and range from painting, to drawing, to jewelry making, and many more depending on the individual’s passion.

“The arts being hit so hard really sucks because it’s something that a lot of people do and it helps them get through the day,” Sullivan said. “It calms me and just helps me express myself in different ways. It’s just something actually enjoyable throughout the day.”

According to a study done by Michael S. Gazzaniga, Ph.D, he found participating in art improves motivation and attention as well as being able to reach higher levels of cognition.

“We’re not a Common Core class. We’re not English, math, or science and so sometimes I think that the arts kind of get overlooked even though we benefit so many kids,” Davis said. “I mean if you think about the art classes, the theatre classes, band, or orchestra, we probably service every kid if not almost every kid in this entire school.”