On the tails of announcing additional grant money for the expansion of pre-k, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced today that Bridgeport will receive an additional $49,952 from the state to help improve arts education–an area in which Bridgeport schools are sorely lacking.

“This program expands the way the arts and humanities are taught in schools and school districts across Connecticut by giving our students access to a learning environment outside of the traditional academic setting,” said Malloy in a prepared statement.

Bridgeport was one of eight districts awarded funding through this new competitive state grant program. Initially announced back in August, the Malloy administration freed up a total $250,000 to help districts across the state forge partnerships with local artists and community art organization to help enrich arts offerings.

According to the state’s press release, Bridgeport will be using the money to improve programing at Classical Studies Magnet School, which will be partnering with Hamden-based non-profit Arts for Learning Connecticut. According to the program description, the grant will be used to employ artists for “residencies, performances and workshop to work with all students from grades K-8th grade.”

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