Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) is proud to announce the culmination of its prestigious $80,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant (no. 1909595-38), which has supported a research study aimed at evaluating the impact of the district’s elementary music program for grades 5 and 6 who receive additional after school music instruction through a partnership with Riverside Arts Academy.

RUSD received the preliminary award notification in 2022 and then the final award notification in 2023. The grant was then implemented July 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. As part of the initiative, students with the highest attendance earned a one time, top-of-the-line Yamaha or Pearl instrument to keep, a gesture recognizing their dedication and commitment to the arts.

At the end of August, the RUSD Arts team, led by Annemarie Guzy and Molly Brooke Becker, organized NEA Music Ceremonies at each participating school. These ceremonies celebrated the achievements of the students, with certificates and brand-new musical instruments presented to the highest-attending participants.

"This grant has provided not only a research-backed enhancement to our music programs but has also given our students the motivation and means to further develop their talents," said Molly Brooke Becker, Certificated Site Support: TK-12 Arts. "When you see the joy on the faces of these dedicated students, it is clear that music is having a positive influence in their lives."

RUSD remains committed to enriching the educational experience of all students and providing opportunities that inspire creativity, growth, and achievement.

Riverside Unified School District is the 16th largest school district in California, serving nearly 42,000 students in 50 schools in Riverside, California. RUSD is governed by five Board of Education members and serves a large portion of the City of Riverside, as well as unincorporated areas of Highgrove and Woodcrest.

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