Apr 19, 2011

Posted by | 11 Comments

How to Order Fewer Art Supplies Next Year!

Always run short on your art budget money each year? Wish you had more money to buy supplies for your students? We all do!  Here is a quick tip that could save you some dollars and cents.

Art-SuppliesEach year in the grade level classrooms students bring glue, markers, colored pencils, watercolors, etc… to their home room classrooms as a part of a supply list that each student is asked to bring to start off the school year. I think this model is pretty universal in most schools.  These supplies stay in the classroom for crafts and art projects. However, with changes in curriculum, and high stakes testing increasing, it seems these supplies are not being used in the classroom like they have in the past. Many of these gently used art supplies are going to waste at the end of each school year.  The items are either put into a cupboard, with more supplies coming in from the new class in the fall, or are donated elsewhere.

My suggestion to you:

Email all of the teachers in your school and ask they keep you in mind when sorting out their rooms at the end of the school year.  The art room will gladly take gently used crayons, glue bottles, colored pencils, etc. You will be AMAZED at what you will get. I have not ordered crayons for 3 years and colored pencils, too. Some of them are not even used and they may have just sat in a cupboard. My principal things this is a great idea, too, because in the end, it’s always smart to use materials and resources wisely. (If you don’t mind gently used, which I don’t!)

With the tight budgets many art teachers are facing, using what’s already in the school can give you the freedom to order things you REALLY need or the basics you just can’t always afford. Trust me. It works! I choose to spend my money on higher quality paper (Blick 80lb construction paper is my go-to) since I am saving so much on my crayons! :)

Is this something that might work for you?

What other tricks might you have up your sleeve to save money on ordering supplies? 

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  • Janis

    At my school we have started attaching one item to the classroom list for the art room. For example all the fourth grade students might be asked to send in two sharpies for the art room. Or all second grade students might be asked to send in a pack of crayons. Other items include glue sticks, paper plates and tissue paper. This has been a great way for me to stock up on some of the basics leaving more money for other supplies.

  • http://barbarasthoughtoftheday barb

    I want more large size visual aids for my kids, but can’t afford to buy them through the art supply houses. So expensive. This year I noticed art posters available through Amazon for a fraction of the cost.

  • Kellie

    I have asked all my teachers to save and send me their dried up washable markers. I’ve made some terrific watercolors that rival the pan sets. The colors are far superior and I’m willing to share with the teachers. They send me baby food jars and I return them with the newly made paint. I have plenty for my classroom and they LOVE the paint. Win-win!
    I do like the idea of asking the teachers for the gently used supplies and for the donations. If I have a job next year (major funding cuts in Michigan), I plan on utilizing some of these strategies. Thanks for the ideas!
    ~Kellie

    • Vivian

      Hi Kelly, this is fascinating. Yes, so you take old dried out markers, and do you soak them in baby food jars of water and make your own watercolors this way? I toss out those old markers, but have let students dip them in water and use during recess as watercolor markers, to really use them up and then throw them out. I’m interested in your watercolor making with dried out markers. Please sshare! :)

  • http://Artprojectgirl.blogspot.com Erica

    I get lots of donations. The key for me is figuring put what really gets used, and what sits in the closet. I throw it away if it hasnt been used in 3 or more years. I accept all donations with a smile but can only use a fraction of what people give me the rest goes in the round file if you know what I mean. Have to be ruthless if I don’t want to end up on hoarders and my friends are none the wiser unless they read this which I doubt!

    As for crayons I throw them out every semester because I’m a germ freak. I imagine them crawling with the flu virus that just went around. We don’t use a lot of crayon anyways.

  • stephanie

    i recently left a position as the art teacher for a private ms/hs. although the students did not bring class supplies for their other subjects (like they would in elem), they did all seem to have glue, scissors, colored pencils, etc over the course of the year for one special project or another. at the end of each semester, there was always a “locker clean-out day” – i would roam the halls w/a box and collect all kinds of goodies the teens didn’t want anymore! sharpies and glue galore! :) i figure, it never hurts to ask! :)

  • http://www.artworxgeelong.com.au/ educational art supplies

    whenever I see people like you which sharing information for other peoples, I feel so glad, thanks for your information and continue your work.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1416165791 Candace Jaster Jessup

    If you know anyone that works for Costco or SAMS Club, their pharmacy (in AZ ) has meds delivered with cardboard dividers that are 9×14 inches. I’m a pre-school art teacher and have been blessed with a parent who still drops off a case of cardboard quarterly even though her son is in 6th grade now. It has so many uses. 
    Thanks for all of your posts.

  • Susie Belzer

    My school does the same as Janis’ does.  Each grade level is responsible for bringing one or two items specifically for art class.  I usually have one bring crayons, another markers, masking tape, sharpies, glue sticks, etc.  I hadn’t thought of paper plates before- that’s genius!  Mentally filling for next year!!

    • http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley

      And small paper bags to take home clay in is another good idea. Bubble wrap to wrap up clay pieces, too! :)