The Buellton City Council on Oct. 25 approved two arts-and-culture grants recommended by the Arts & Culture Committee, voting to fund a second year of a youth strings program and to complete a public mosaic at the post office.

The council approved $20,000 for the Built-in Strings program run by Santa Barbara Strings, which expands a successful pilot and adds subsidized one-on-one lessons for students who progress beyond the group class. Allison Fiery, Buellton’s recreation coordinator and the Arts & Culture Committee liaison, told council the committee recommended a $15,000 grant but the council voted to fund the full $20,000 request so the program can serve more students this year. ‘‘We had 40 applicants last year and could take 15; we want to ensure funding supports instruction and private lessons for those who need it,’’ Fiery said.

Santa Barbara Strings’ artistic director Marybeth Woodruff and program representative Kyle Abella (presenting on behalf of the group) demonstrated student progress during the meeting; the program pairs a 16‑week group introduction for children with subsidized private lessons for selected continuing students. The committee asked the program to add an application pledge this year to ensure families commit to practice and attendance.

Councilmembers voiced support for continuing the program as a local incubator for longer-term orchestra and scholarship pathways. The vote to award $20,000 was unanimous: Vice Mayor Lewis — aye; Councilmember Hornick — aye; Councilmember Mead — aye; Councilmember Sanchez — aye; Mayor Silva — aye.

Separately, the council approved a $30,940 grant to Community Clay Works to complete a large-scale mosaic on the post office building. Artists Veronica Medina and Stacy Curry described the work as a tile-based installation celebrating native California wildflowers. The Arts & Culture Committee recommended funding the full $30,940; the council approved that full amount and additionally directed staff to work with the applicants to return with a separate business item that reconciles the final build cost and any potential need for supplemental funding. The committee also noted a private donor, Candace Cigna, had offered $3,000 toward the mosaic if the council approved the grant.

Council discussion emphasized two recurring themes: paying artists fairly and using grants to help small arts organizations scale and access additional funding sources. ‘‘We want to be sure artists are compensated for labor and that projects are sustainable,’’ Committee liaison Fiery said; in line with that, council asked staff to help the mosaic applicants confirm final costs and consider a follow-up item if additional funds are needed.

Votes: Built-in Strings $20,000 — approved unanimously. Beullton Mosaic project $30,940 — approved unanimously. Staff recorded the arts committee’s prior awards and asked grantees to adopt participation pledges or application changes where the committee recommended them.