What do you buy when money falls in your lap? It is rare that we get enough money for all the art supplies we want (or even need). If you are struggling, THIS POST was created for you, but...
What do you buy when money falls in your lap?
It is rare that we get enough money for all the art supplies we want (or even need). If you are struggling, THIS POST was created for you, but what if money just lands in your lap unexpectedly?
What to buy with a surprising influx of funds? Schools often have to spend EVERYTHING or their budgets are cut for the following year because they did not use it all. I always email our budget person at the end of the year and ask if there is any left-over money they need spent… Usually it’s a no, but sometimes this means a lump of money may fall in your lap and you may have as little as 1 day to spend it. I would always buy paper, canvas, brushes, glue, etc. as they generally don’t go bad… but if you are looking for something that can open new project possibilities up, below is a list of items suggested by other art teachers when money has fallen into their laps unexpectedly.
The links will take you to the items on Amazon, and the prices are general and may be different if you view this post months or years after it was created. Some links may even be dead, but it will give you an idea of the kinds of items others have bought for their classrooms.
Under $100
Silk Screen Class Kit $45
Block Printing Kit $60
Needle Felting tools $25 and Wool $30
Large Class Loom $45
Epoxy Clay airdry clay 4 pounds $57 to $70
Clear Packaging tape for sculptures $20 for 6 rolls.
Ceramic Tools $12 per 18 piece kit.
Canary Cardboard Cutters 10 pieces $70
Professional Hot Glue Gun $35
Posca Markers 29 Color Reversible Set $60; 15 Color Standard Set $40
Professional Large Watercolor Paper $75
Prisma Color Pencils 72 count set $60 each
Watercolor Pencils Class Pack $70
Heavy Duty Stapler – Make your own sketchbooks $20
Spray Glue for mounting artwork and more $25 per can.
Sketchbooks, 24 pack for $20
Plaster Gauze 50 pack $85 or 30 for $50
Under $500
Gelli Plate Class Packs: 8x10 inch $220, 5x5 inch $130, 5x7 inch. $150
Printing Press $499
Well rated standard Color Printer $499
Drying Rack: Counter Top $170;
Throwing Wheel for pottery $175
Nice Paper Cutter $400
Commercial Grade Paper Cutter, 400 sheets at a time $300
Sewing Machine for the classroom $220
Under $1000
Circut Maker 3 Kit $400-$600
Over $1000
Display Wall 7 Panel or 13 panels. $1500
Color POSTER printer $2200-$3000
Electric Kiln $3000
iPads, Photoshop Bundles, etc…
What to buy with a surprising influx of funds? Schools often have to spend EVERYTHING or their budgets are cut for the following year because they did not use it all. I always email our budget person at the end of the year and ask if there is any left-over money they need spent… Usually it’s a no, but sometimes this means a lump of money may fall in your lap and you may have as little as 1 day to spend it. I would always buy paper, canvas, brushes, glue, etc. as they generally don’t go bad… but if you are looking for something that can open new project possibilities up, below is a list of items suggested by other art teachers when money has fallen into their laps unexpectedly.
The links will take you to the items on Amazon, and the prices are general and may be different if you view this post months or years after it was created. Some links may even be dead, but it will give you an idea of the kinds of items others have bought for their classrooms.
Under $100
Silk Screen Class Kit $45
Block Printing Kit $60
Needle Felting tools $25 and Wool $30
Large Class Loom $45
Epoxy Clay airdry clay 4 pounds $57 to $70
Clear Packaging tape for sculptures $20 for 6 rolls.
Ceramic Tools $12 per 18 piece kit.
Canary Cardboard Cutters 10 pieces $70
Professional Hot Glue Gun $35
Posca Markers 29 Color Reversible Set $60; 15 Color Standard Set $40
Professional Large Watercolor Paper $75
Prisma Color Pencils 72 count set $60 each
Watercolor Pencils Class Pack $70
Heavy Duty Stapler – Make your own sketchbooks $20
Spray Glue for mounting artwork and more $25 per can.
Sketchbooks, 24 pack for $20
Plaster Gauze 50 pack $85 or 30 for $50
Under $500
Gelli Plate Class Packs: 8x10 inch $220, 5x5 inch $130, 5x7 inch. $150
Printing Press $499
Well rated standard Color Printer $499
Drying Rack: Counter Top $170;
Throwing Wheel for pottery $175
Nice Paper Cutter $400
Commercial Grade Paper Cutter, 400 sheets at a time $300
Sewing Machine for the classroom $220
Under $1000
Circut Maker 3 Kit $400-$600
Over $1000
Display Wall 7 Panel or 13 panels. $1500
Color POSTER printer $2200-$3000
Electric Kiln $3000
iPads, Photoshop Bundles, etc…