Sarah Cradduck works in the art department, and teaches Art 1, 3D 1, Advanced 3D and AP 3D. In one of her blocks, Cradduck sees around 22 to 36 students, depending on the course. With a large number of students with different objectives, the supplies being bought by the department vary.
“Art 1 is kind of a buffet of art. They do drawing, painting, clay; all sorts of stuff. But the 3D classes have things like wheel throwing, glazes, glass, all sorts of stuff,” Cradduck said.
The majority of these items for these classes come in bulk from art supply companies. Blick Art Materials is one of these companies that Cradduck says they order from. Blick Art Materials, or Dick Blick, is a family owned retailer that was started in 1911. The order schedule is pretty consistent throughout the year. There is one big order for the whole department during August, when school is about to start. Then at the end of the first semester, there will be a medium sized order. And finally, there will be another large order in May, to prepare for the upcoming school year. If a certain item runs out, teachers will most likely go to a store in town or use a website such as Amazon to replenish; not one of the supply companies.
The price varies for these items. The pencils bought and used for the shading assignments can get very pricey when multiple get lost. For just one, it is around $1.50. Some are around par for what they are. A jug of paint is around $15. But for the jug right next to it, nearly identical, is about $100. That’s because that jug of paint is actually clear glaze for the clay projects. When students don’t appreciate these supplies, take them and break them, the bill racks up quickly.
When it comes to how they are getting the money for these supplies: there is no set price for how the total comes out. The art department, just like other departments in the school, has a budget that the school will provide. Every year, the school will change their budget. They need to use all of their budget during the year or they will lose the excess money for the upcoming year. For the three teachers; Cradduck, Jessica Harris and Irma Garcia, their budget is around $8,000 altogether.
However, sometimes the teachers use their own money to provide supplies for the students.
“I buy all sorts of things that I need to adjust. It’s not usually large things, sort of silly things; like plastic spoons and toothpicks,” Cradduck said.
There are costs for both teachers and students involved in electives. Teachers take their time to prep the classes and clean up afterwards, and buy additional supplies on their own. Students pay a $15 fee for every semester of art they have, and should respect the supplies used.
