Senator Roth Secures $500,000 for Riverside Arts Academy

Riverside, CA – Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) has secured $500,000 in state funding for the Riverside Arts Academy for arts education-related programs, musical instruments, equipment, or facilities. The Academy is a vibrant, intensive arts mentoring program that provides access and connection to the arts, focusing on music as a way of changing the trajectory of the lives of underserved youth ages 7-17.

“The Riverside Arts Academy, employing the magic of music, has been a transformative and empowering force in the lives of thousands of disadvantaged young people throughout our region,” said Roth. “Whether it's singing in a choir, or playing an instrument, I have seen firsthand the tremendous joy and pride these students exhibit. As someone who was in the band and choir growing up, I can tell you firsthand the profound positive impact it has in fostering teamwork, focusing attention to detail, and developing discipline. These funds will help support the work the Academy performs as a powerful positive influence in our community.”

“This funding is being received at a critical time in our nonprofit’s history, as we expand to serve more children,” said Kathleen Barth, President, Board of Directors of the Riverside Arts Academy.  “Senator Roth has shared his personal music education journey with our families and understands the long-term value of music in the classroom and its power to effect positive change. We sincerely thank the Senator for his unwavering support of our mission to change lives in Riverside through the medium of music and the arts!”

“Senator Roth understands due to his personal involvement in his youth that music, especially post COVID, gives our children the power to heal and connect with our communities, and science shows playing music ultimately leads to higher academic success,” said Collette Lee, Founding President Riverside Arts Academy.  “At the Riverside Arts Academy, our mission is to change lives by providing free high-quality music instruction 3-6 hours a week and free instruments for 7-17-year-olds. This is our path of social equity, along with Senator Roth's, to serve our underserved children.  We are so thankful.”  

This award-winning program serves nearly 1,000 students annually and provides over 50 hours of instruction weekly in musical art classes including choir, strings, band, guitar, mariachi, orchestra, percussion, and more, The flagship ensembles: the Riverside Arts Academy Youth Orchestra, the Riverside Arts Academy Children’s Choir, and the Riverside Arts Academy Riverside Mariachi de Juvenil perform at high-profile events and performances across the region.