More than 1,000 low-income students from the Central Coast will be able to visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) over the next year thanks to a new funding source.

Officials say a recent grant from Bank of America is helping expand the museum’s youth arts education program, which aims to address the lack of arts education in schools.

As part of the program, more than 50 students from Arroyo Grande Mesa Middle School visited the museum Wednesday.

Arroyo Grande Mesa Middle School teacher Tom Hall told KSBY that Wednesday’s activities at SLOMA were a learning experience for students.

“It’s good for them to be able to create art. These kids are really smart, very hardworking and generally very good at following directions,” Hall said. “Doing something completely creative is often a challenge, so it’s good for them to step out of their comfort zone. And there’s no right or wrong, they just have to create.”

The program would feature interactive on-site gallery tours, guided art activities, bilingual instruction and transportation to and from schools.

SLOMA claims to have hired 1,700 students since 2021.