Student Artwork: “Composite Winter” by a student from one.Cruikshank School in San Joaquin County
Inside This Issue
It was a busy Fall season as Regional and County Arts leads and partner organizations across the state joined in various efforts to ramp up support for Prop 28 implementation. Looking ahead, we hope the next few months bring time for reflection and celebration with community, friends, and family. Enjoy this Winter Edition of the California County Superintendents Arts Initiative Newsletter.
- Prop 28 Implementation Update: what we are learning in the Community of Practice, and the upcoming California Arts Education Summit 2024: Small Places and Rural Spaces
- California County Superintendents Arts Initiative News
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- County Arts Leads Support Prop 28 Implementation
- Arts and Music at the California County Superintendents General Membership Meeting
- NEW Resources: Arts Education Research Aligned to LCFF Priorities, and Creativity at the Core Module 26: Creative Health and Wellbeing Through Visual Arts: A Social-Emotional Approach to Learning.
- National and State News from the California State Library, and the Connected Arts Network
- Regional County News and Events from Butte, Nevada, Alameda and San Mateo, Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Mariposa, Ventura, Riverside, and Los Angeles County Offices of Education
- State Partner News from California Arts Education Association, California Dance Education Association, California Educational Theatre Association, California Music Educators Association, Create CA, and The California Arts Project
Prop 28 Implementation Update
What We Know
As we move into the second quarter of the first year of Proposition 28 implementation little has changed regarding what we know about the guidelines. Questions surfaced by LEAs related to implementation continue to include clarity on when the funds will flow from the California Department of Education (CDE), what the waiver process will be, and what the required reporting instruments will include.
In this environment, it will continue to be important to consider these guidelines:
- There is a 3-year time frame to spend each yearly allocation. Take time to develop multi- year plans for how best to invest in the expansion of arts education in your local context.
- Know the Ed Code. LEAs have the responsibility to be aware of and comply with statute.
- Follow the guidance in CDE’s FAQs. While others are offering FAQs, CDE is the entity with oversight. Submit queries to the Prop28@cde.ca.gov in-box when clarification is needed.
- Proposition 28 is just supplemental funding. Continue to explore how to leverage all funding streams to build robust well rounded arts education programs with sequential pathways and opportunities for students to develop artistic literacy in all five disciplines.
What We Are Learning
In the second year of the Arts Initiative’s Arts Education Funding Implementation Community of Practice (CoP) meetings we continue to learn from thought partners and early implementers. This Fall we opened with Superintendent Gary Waddell of Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD). SCUSD’s Strategic Education Plan was developed in the year following the passage of Prop 28 but SCUSD is moving slowly to implement to ensure a districtwide approach can be taken while complying with the spending rules. In October we were joined by Michael D. Stone, Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts Department in the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD). BCSD was able to act early to implement partially because the district had engaged in strategic arts education planning prior to the passage of Prop 28. When the election results came in, BCSD had a foundation upon which to build.
Though the scenarios in each district are very different, both provide insight into the role strategic planning and leadership can play when responding to local implementation needs. While certain guidance may not yet be available, there is an opportunity to be productive. District and School Leaders are vital in nurturing collaboration, sparking creative solutions, and fostering productivity.
What's Coming Next
We are excited to announce the Arts Initiative’s California Arts Education Summit 2024: Small Places and Rural Spaces. This event for County Office and District Leaders will take place in Sacramento on January 17-18, 2024. Proposition 28 will serve as a departure point for exploration of the promise of expanding access to arts education and consideration of how to make this a sustainable reality in rural and small counties and districts. Together we will navigate the “why”, “what”, and the “how” and engage in planning and networking. The location, room block information, and conference registration link will be finalized soon. Please add your contact information to the Summit Interest List and share this information with your colleagues.
Arts Initiative News
County Arts Leads Support Prop 28 Implementation
Fall is typically busy for educators but this Fall was especially busy as Regional Arts Leads from nearly every region offered events to support teams from districts in their regions to prepare for Proposition 28 implementation. Soon, the Building Effective Arts Education Programs series will culminate with an event at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Like many previous Prop 28 implementation events, this is a product of collaboration among multiple county arts leads. It demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together to support implementation. All of the regional events have been different in response to regional needs and all have been robust and positively received by participants. Please see the articles in this newsletter for details and contact your County Arts Lead if you are interested in what other opportunities may be offered in your area.
On September 19th and 20th the Arts Initiative held the first All County Leads meeting of the new school year in person in Sacramento. At this meeting we welcomed 13 new County Arts Leads and engaged in collaboration, networking, and learning including an introduction to the NEW Creativity at the Core Module 26 developed by Stanislaus County Office of Education. Prop 28 and arts education funding will continue to be key meeting topics throughout the year.
An SRI Report, The Role of California’s County Offices of Education and Implications for Arts Education found that Arts Leads in county offices of education provided key support to arts educators in their regions. This year and the next we will strive to increase the number of designated County Arts Leads and work towards a Lead in every county as we continue our work to expand equitable access to arts education for all students everywhere in the state.
Art & Music at the California County Superintendents Meeting
October’s California County Superintendents General Membership meeting in Tahoe opened with a performance from the Placer County High School Jazz Band directed by David Lawrenson. The Jazz Band is composed of 20 students who meet daily throughout the school year at 6:45 am before their regular school day begins. In addition to music, Placer High School offers courses in visual arts and theatre.
Later in the meeting Superintendents received an update on the status of Proposition 28 and how to participate in the upcoming publication of a new edition of Counties on the Move, anticipated in March 2024. Counties on the Move provides a snapshot of arts education county- by-county, throughout the state.
Finally, Assemblymember Mike Gipson was honored with the Legislator of the Year Award. As in the past, the award was student artwork. Student artworks are one way to communicate to our leaders the value of arts education as a means for student expression. This year’s piece was created by Soonafai Faifua, a student at Manuel Dominguez High School in the Compton Unified School District. It is a mixed media artwork depicting life in Los Angeles County from a student’s perspective. Thank you to Soonafai Faifua for sharing her perspective through her work, the Dominguez High School Visual Arts Program teacher, Jodi Evans, and to Region 11 Lead Jeannine Flores for helping to identify a student artist to contribute the award.
New Resources
Creative Health and Wellbeing Through Visual Art: A Social-Emotional Approach to Learning
The newest Creativity at the Core professional learning module Creative Health and Wellbeing Through Visual Art: A Social-Emotional Approach to Learning is designed to foster the creative well-being of both educators and students alike. This Module was developed by Amy Bultena, Director of Arts at the Stanislaus County Office of Education in collaboration with Dr. Diana Gregory, Professor, Art Education at Kennesaw State University.
The Module is designed to build capacity for educators and administrators from Universal Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade to promote students’ creative health and well-being through visual arts. This includes incorporating mindfulness and respecting the diverse cultures, communities, and identities found in today’s culturally-responsive classrooms. The Module is aligned with the California Arts Standards and SEL core competencies and includes ten visual art projects for students in grades UPK-12th, and one visual art project for educators. A webinar will be offered in the coming months to provide an introduction to the research supporting the module and highlight some of the projects.
Research Aligned to LCFF Priorities
Early in 2023, The California County Superintendents Arts Initiative worked with ArtsEdSearch, a project of the Arts Education Partnership, to review a new set of resources for California. The California LCFF Priority-Aligned Research Project includes a new search filter that organizes search results around Local Control Funding Formula (LFCC) priorities 1, 4, 5, 6, and 8. It also includes a note on “How to Search”, and four printable PDFs including, an Introduction with notes for users and summary documents with takeaways from research titled Conditions of Learning, Student Outcomes, and Engagement.
As the new Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) cycle begins in 2024 we encourage LCAP writers to consult these resources as they consider how to include arts education in LCAPs. The resources are also valuable for educators and families when advocating for increased access to arts education.
National and State News
California State Library
Vast Arts Video and Audio Multimedia Collection Now Available for K-12 Schools, local libraries
The California State Library has announced NEW arts video and audio added to their multimedia collection. Every public school student and teacher, as well as every Californian with a library card, can now access over 5,000 theatre, music, and dance performance videos and audio performances and over 3,000 world music albums anytime they want, online at no charge through their school district and local library.
These video and audio recordings are from the Alexander Street platform by ProQuest (part of Clarivate). They include performances from California arts organizations and artists. Examples include
- Video performances from the Los Angeles Symphony and San Francisco Opera;
- International dance recordings produced from Berkeley, CA;
- Jazz performance video and international music audio recorded in California;
- Lectures on acting technique from California-based professionals; and
- Over 430 full-length audio plays produced by L.A. Theatre Works, featuring well-known actors from around the world.
California’s Alexander Street arts collection from ProQuest includes:
Audio Collections:
- Audio Drama: The L.A. Theatre Works Collection contains over 430 nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century plays performed by leading actors from around the world, recorded specifically for online listening.
- Music Online: Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries provides a virtual encyclopedia of unique American folk, blues, soul, jazz, and protest songs, as well as a broad range of world music through partnership with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Video Collections:
- Music Online: The Quest TV Collection, co-created by Quincy Jones & Reza Ackbaraly, offers valuable materials for music history and cultural studies through the preservation of diverse live performances, representing jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, folk, indie, electronic, blues, and other eclectic world genres.
- Dance Online: Dance in Video is a collection of performances, instructional materials, documentaries, and interviews, showcasing high-caliber performances from dance companies and performers worldwide, including traditional ballet to hip hop, street dance, and modern dance.
- Broadway On Demand includes plays, musicals, and dance performances along with behind-the-scenes series, documentaries, instructional videos, and more.
- National Theatre Collection provides contemporary video productions, modern reinterpretations of classic plays — all featuring acclaimed actors and directors along with behind-the-scenes archival content.
- The Royal Shakespeare Company Collection contains high-definition recordings of top Shakespearean actors and directors, along with supplementary teaching materials designed to help bring Shakespeare to life in the modern age.
- Theatre in Video offers access to hundreds of significant plays, documentaries, and instructional materials, as well as interviews with prominent directors, designers, writers, and actors, providing an authentic behind-the-scenes look at various productions.
- Classical Music in Video provides influential performances and documentaries demonstrating the development of classical music, spanning eras from past masters to modern composers.
- Opera in Video offers a wide curated selection of opera performances, featuring top artists, conductors, and venues.
Connected Arts Network
The NAEA, NAfME, NDEO and EDTA invites K-12 visual and performing arts educators to apply to be a Teacher Participant in the Connected Arts Networks (CAN).
Call For Applications!
WHAT IS CAN?
CAN is a multi-year grant initiative, funded by the US Department of Education, to create nationwide virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with educators in visual arts, music, theater, dance and media arts. The purpose of CAN is to build a sustainable model of professional learning for K-12 arts educators in public schools and public charters to strengthen their pedagogy, instruction, and leadership skills in order to better serve students.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Arts educators who teach grades K-12 who are interested in collaborating and sharing in professional learning communities for dance education focused on inclusion, diversity, equity and access and socio-emotional learning.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
All four of the national arts organizations are recruiting 150 K-12 educators per discipline to serve as PLC participants working with a team of CAN teacher leaders. These PLCs will meet virtually each month of the school year starting in January 2024 through June 2026 and will focus on professional learning in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion; social emotional learning; and teacher leadership through an arts education lens.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Be a current art educator at a PreK-12 public / public charter school and have support from your supervisor/principal. Please note: If you are teaching in NYC DOE public schools, please click here as you’re requested to join the local CAN project instead of the national CAN project.
- Interest in & commitment to participating in a multi-year, monthly 1.5 hour PLC Meeting (Jan. 2024-June 2026)
- Availability to attend evening and/or weekend meetings
- Ability to work and meet remotely and meet 1 day per month
- Interest in growing your knowledge of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
- Interest in growing your knowledge of how to embed Social-Emotional Learning in the classroom
- Demonstrated skills in standards-based arts education instruction (ideally familiarity with the National Core Arts Standards)
- Strong collaboration skills
- A desire to participate in a shared space for arts educators of all disciplines to learn from each other
County News and Events
Explore what County Offices of Education have been doing as they support arts education across the state. Please refer to the updated arts leads contact list if you have questions about and of these items.
Region 2
Butte County Office of Education
Region 2 Prop 28 Bootcamp
A Prop 28 Bootcamp for all of Region 2 Counties was held on September 18th at the Museum of Northern California Art in Chico. It was co-presented by Butte, Trinity, and Plumas County Offices of Education. Participating district sizes ranged from 35 to 5,000 enrolled students.
BCOE Hosts Kennedy Center Arts Integration and Educational Consultant Mealanie Rick for a Day of Workshops in Oroville
On October 25 a workshop for BCOE Teaching Artists covered the topics of planning residencies and designing lessons for students. The group assembled consisted of both seasoned and new teaching artists and all participants thoroughly benefitted from time spent with Melanie.
Later, an evening workshop for TK-6 general education teachers provided an overview of arts integration and a lesson study that combined theatre arts, visual arts, and history. Specifically, the tableau (“frozen picture”) art form, a portrait of Cesar Chavez by artist Octavio Ocampo, and a short written biography were utilized in a lesson about Chavez’s life and accomplishments. Renee Hamilton of Sierra Avenue Elementary school in Thermalito commented that the workshop was “really motivating to change the way you teach.” Also she remarked how well the arts integration approach to teaching supports universal design for learning.
Participants were provided with access to an online module on arts integration available through Focus 5, plus access to the Technology Enhanced Arts Learning (TEAL) Modules through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and access information to download the CA Standards phone app.
Region 3
Nevada County Superintendent of Schools
After the close of school in June, 55 Nevada County educators kicked off the summer by attending a summer arts integration institute entitled: BE THE SPARK! Ignite Your Core Through Arts Integration.
The event was hosted by the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the Nevada County Arts Council, at the Nevada County School of the Arts for the county’s TK through 12th grade teachers & administrators. The purpose of the event was to build capacity for implementing arts education and to inspire the integration of the arts into the core curriculum.
Dr. Merryl Goldberg, a professor of music education at CSU San Marcos, the keynote speaker and workshop presenter, kicked off the event reminding the audience of the impact the arts can have on students to realize their talent, voice, and vocation. She elevated the Arts Standards & Frameworks and made connections to other content area standards and processes.
The presenters at the event included seven Nevada County educators, three local artists and Shelly Covert, Spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, who provided cultural arts sessions. The workshops were provided in theatre, visual arts, music, and media arts, as well as in sessions on building arts integrated units. Administrators were also afforded a session by Dr. Goldberg on implementing the arts across the curriculum at school sites. The teachers were able to choose four sessions throughout the day and were treated to a bevy of ideas & resources on how to impact student learning using the arts in their classrooms. “This is AMAZING,” “Thank you for holding an event like this,” and, “Now I understand how to use the arts in my science classes,” were just a few of the testimonials from those in attendance.
The event realized a goal of NCSOS’ Strategic Arts Plan created in partnership with local educational partners. For information about the event, please visit: BE THE SPARK! website.
Region 4
Alameda and San Mateo County Office of Education
Bay Area Arts Education Leadership Summit
On September 8th, Alameda and San Mateo County Offices of Education held a Bay Area Arts Education Leadership Summit at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. County Arts Leads Bernie Phelan (Alameda), Allison Gamlen (San Mateo), and Tracy McManus (Contra Costa) co-hosted and led discussions around Prop 28 Implementation.
Region 5
Santa Clara County Office of Education
ArtsEdConnect Grant for Teachers Is a Success!
The ArtsEdConnect partnership of the Santa Clara County Office of Education and SVCreates is pleased to announce that we received almost 200 grant applications totaling approximately $375,000. This year’s process for choosing arts projects was competitive. Successful applicants were notified in the week of October 23rd. Thanks to all who applied!
The ArtsEdConnect program awards grants to teachers in public and charter schools in Santa Clara County, subject to district approval, to support and encourage arts education in our schools. The grants are available to take students on arts field trips, bring artists into the classrooms, fund student performances, and create various art projects that foster creativity, innovation exploration, self-expression, and social and emotional learning.
Marion Cilker for Arts in Education Conference
Friday, November 3, 2023, at San Jose State from 8:00-1:00
This will be the final Cilker Conference with keynote Tshaka Campbell and fun, arts-integrated lesson workshops with amazing presenters. Please see the 2023 Cilker Conference for updated information. Registration is free!
2024 Young Artist Showcase
Save the Date: Applications will open on November 1, 2023.
From the SCCOE website “The Santa Clara County Office of Education announces the 2024 Young Artist Showcase. This showcase is open to public school students, grades Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, in Santa Clara County. Adjudicators will determine the student artwork to be accepted into the permanent exhibit of student artwork located within the SCCOE campuses as well as showcased at the virtual Young Artist Showcase Celebration on May 16, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. All artwork will be submitted digitally.”
Guidelines to Enter
Prop 28 Virtual Convening
Abe Flores of CreateCA shared information about Proposition 28 with educators in an online meeting on Saturday, Oct 7, 2023. At this hour-long “Office Hours” session, information and up-to-the-minute best practices was shared with educators from three counties. The final Prop. 28 Office Hours session will take place on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
Register Here
Call for Student Artwork!
As the region host for the 2024 CISC Leadership Symposium, Students Rising, the Santa Clara County Office of Education continues the call for student artwork.
Submission Link
Monterey County Office of Education
Mariachi Juvenil
One of the past highlights of the All In for Equity Conference in Monterey County was the celebration of the transformative power of the arts in education. The event featured a stunning performance by Mariachi Juvenil, a group of exceptionally talented young musicians from the Alisal CAN program. This program provided elementary school students with a unique opportunity to practice and partake in a mariachi band as part of their enrichment experience. Their performance beautifully showcased the incredible talent, dedication, and the profound impact of arts education in fostering equity and inclusivity in our community. Attendees were treated to an inspiring display of young talent at the conference.
Monterey County Math Festival
Monterey County Math Festival was held at Hartnell College on Saturday, October 28th for students in 6th-12th. Mathematicians from all over the county came together to engage in hands-on activities that include an art component. Tessellations, fractals, origami, and mobius strips are some of the many ways students applied mathematical concepts in art. Additionally, there was a math art poster competition!
Math Fest Website
2023 Dia De Muertos
The MCAET FAB Lab is supporting the Dia de Muertos event on November 2nd by providing a living text experience through the integration of STEAM and literacy. Through the use of robotics, puppets come to life in Reader’s Theater productions.
Video of living text project
Website
La Posada Magica
Veronica Pulido is a Theater Director in one of our local school districts that is partnered with Artist Ink. Together, they are providing a local community theater production of Octavio Solis’ La Posada Magica. All ages are welcomed!
The live performances will be available December 1st – 17th.
Website
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Dia De Muertos
This community event was held at the Watsonville City Plaza and celebrated Dia de Muertos on October 27th. It was hosted by Watsonville Film Festival in partnership with the COE and a number of local organizations. This celebration featured altars, live music and dance, hands-on activities, and a screening of the film “Coco”.
Poetry Opportunities
Youth Poet Laureate
For the first time, our Santa Cruz Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatemi in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Arts Council and Santa Cruz County Office of Education is bringing the Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate event to our community! The workshops listed below, run by poets from around Santa Cruz County, are open to any students (13-18 years old) with or without experience writing poetry.
If you would like a visit from Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatemi, please complete the attached Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate Google Form. For more information, also check out the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Information Page. Finally, to access the newsletter Farnaz Fatemi has started, click on this link: For Better or Verse Newsletter
Poetry Out Loud 2024
Date: February 13, 2024
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Please contact Audrey Sirota to find out more about Poetry Out Loud and to schedule a visit to your school!
Arts Education Community of Practice
Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito & Monterey County Offices of Education are co-hosting the monthly, year-long Arts Education Community of Practice. Join us for a region-wide sharing of ideas and inspirations!
Audience: Teachers, Teaching Artists, Administrators, High School and College Students
Other Opportunities in Santa Cruz County!
Save the Date!
For Students
For Educators and Students
Region 7
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Aaron Bryan Honored as Fresno Arts Council Horizon Award Winner
The Fresno Arts Council named Aaron Bryan, FCSS Director of Arts Education and Region 7 Arts Co-Lead, as the “Ella Odorfer Educator Award” at their annual Horizon Awards and State of the Arts celebration. Visit here for more information.
Unity Fresno Choral Festival and Concert, Feb. 1-3, 2024
FCSS is proud to kick-off Black History Month with the Unity Fresno Festival & Concert (UFFC), an intergenerational celebration of Black history and excellence in and through choral music!. The UFFC will bring together choristers of all ages, races, genders, and abilities from across Fresno County through the joy of music. The UFFC is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Fresno Community Chorus, Inc. (Dr. Anna Hamre, Director), the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher), and the Fresno Unified School District (Dr. Robert Nelson, Superintendent). This unique, non-competitive choral festival, will feature world-renowned composer and conductor, Dr. Rollo Dilworth, Vice Dean/Professor of Music Education at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. The festival will provide the students the opportunity to work on stage with Dr. Dilworth as well as join other singers in their age group in a selection to be conducted by our guest conductor/clinician in the Feb. 3rd concert. The UFFC will close with the Saturday afternoon concert where, for the finale, the festival choir comprised of all 770 students will join with the Fresno Master Chorale in performing the WORLD PREMIER of a new setting of “Peace Like A River” composed and conducted by Dr. Dilworth himself! This will be a beautiful and inspiring event that you will not want to miss! Visit here for more information or contact Aaron Bryan, FCSS Director of Arts Education.
heARTbeat 2024: Portraits of Love
The Fresno County Superintendent of Schools is seeking portraits from student photographers, grades 3-12, for the annual heARTbeat student art exhibition. Students are encouraged to grab their camera and create a beautiful, thoughtful portrait of a beloved person or animal that they would like to honor. Photos will be judged in 3 entry classes: Elementary School (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grade 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12). All photographs will be displayed on the heARTbeat 2024 website where participants can also find full guidelines for their submissions! The top 36 photographers will be honored at the heARTbeat Student Art Exhibition Awards Ceremony, Friday, March 15, 2024, 6:30-8:00 PM at the K-Jewel Art Gallery in downtown Fresno (1415 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721). “Best in Class” and “Best in Show” awards will be awarded at this time.
Tulare County Office of Education
Arts and SEL Workshop
Tulare County arts educators, counselors, social workers, and school psychologists gathered at the TCOE Doe Avenue Complex on October 24 for a full-day of learning, collaboration, and mindfulness. The group attended TCOE’s Arts and SEL workshop and discovered easy strategies for connecting the arts to their classrooms and campus spaces. This full day of professional learning was provided to educators as part of The QUAIL Project (QUality Arts Instruction and Learning) a five-year program funded by the US Department of Education’s Assistance for Arts Education grant program. The QUAIL Project is aimed at providing high-quality standards-aligned arts education professional learning and instructional resources to Tulare County educators.
Museum Masterpieces- Youth Art Show
The Second Annual event is a partnership between the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) and the Porterville Historical Museum (PHM). This collaboration was developed through the QUAIL Project – TCOE’s multi-year, federally funded, professional learning and community partnership initiative. The organizations are partnering on a new event – Museum Masterpieces – Youth Art Show. Museum Masterpieces is open to PreK-8th grade students from the small and rural school districts in the Porterville area. These are: Alta Vista – Ducor – Hope – Hot Springs – Pleasant View – Rockford – Saucelito – Springville – Strathmore – Sunnyside – Terra Bella – Woodville. Student 2D and 3D artwork will be on display in the Main Exhibit Hall of the Porterville Historical Museum (257 N. D Street, Porterville) throughout March for Arts Education Month, with an Opening Gala to honor the young artists on March 6 from 3:30-6:00pm at the museum. TCOE’s goal is to develop partnerships like this with other museums, galleries, and local businesses throughout Tulare County, providing young artists with an opportunity to see their artwork showcased in their towns and neighborhoods. Whether it’s a big city, small town, or rural community, we believe the arts are for everyone. For more information, contact Kate Stover.
Kings County Office of Education
Read More: Kings COE 2023 Fall Arts Newsletter
Arts Events Coming Up!
Check out Art from Hanford High Schools Art Gallery!
Plastic and Heat Meet at Akers Elementary School
Inspired by Dale Chihuly’s work, students from Akers Elementary School combined plastic cups and heat and created unique and mesmerizing pieces that look like glass. Read the full article in the Kings COE 2023 Fall Arts Newsletter.
Mariposa County Office of Education
The Mariposa County Office of Education continues to work with community partners, specifically the Mariposa County Arts Council to grow and develop new arts education programming equitably throughout Mariposa County. Specifically, this winter, multi-month artists residencies will be held in every 5th grade classroom in the County. The artist-in-residence, have worked with their respective classroom teachers to develop an arts infused, standards-aligned curriculum that teaches art in concert with at least one other academic subject. The residencies provide in-depth, hands-on visual arts and music experiences that develop students’ critical thinking and creative problem solving skills while challenging students to transfer knowledge across traditional subject areas boundaries.
Also this winter, in partnership with the Mariposa County Arts Council, Mariposa County Office of Education will be offering a field trip/visual literacy program for all high school students in the County. This program centers on selected curated exhibitions of Bay Area museums and includes field trips to these institutions. It supports a growing body of academic research indicating that exposing youth to art has lasting emotional and cognitive benefits. This winter students will be learning about and visiting exhibitions at the Crocker Museum in Sacramento and the Cantor Museum at Stanford University.
Finally, over the winter, the Mariposa County Office of Education is working with Sierra Foothill Conservancy and the Mariposa County Arts Council to grow a place-based art + outdoor education day camp program for all TK-6 grade students taking place on preserved landscapes adjacent to school campuses.
Region 8
Ventura County Office of Education
VCOE kicked off The Ventura County Office of Education Visual and Performing Arts Leadership Network on October 10th. This is a free networking opportunity which promotes communication and collaboration between school and district leads involved in, or considering, art initiatives throughout Ventura County. It provides updates on State and Federal funding, best practices, and opportunities/events for student arts throughout the region. This years Network welcomes Peggy Burt, Arts Education Coach and Consultant to help County LEA’s develop and implement a Strategic Plan for Arts as it relates to Prop 28.
Region 10
Riverside County Office of Education
Who Wants Drama? Theater Skills for Elementary and Middle School Classroom
Region 11
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Promising Learners Project
The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s (LACOE’s) Center for Distance and Online Learning (CDOL), in the Division of Curriculum and instructional Services has expanded the Promising Learners Project (PLP) that proposes to provide school and district staff training that significantly increases pupil engagement, improves school climate, expands evidence-based, non-punitive practices, and establishes partnerships with community-based organizations. This 3-year grant project supports Baldwin Park, Hacienda La Puente, Keppel Union, and Norwalk-La Mirada school districts in creating Positive Learning Experiences through a Multi-Tiered System of Support Using Social-Emotional Learning and the Arts at a total of 18 school sites and TK-6th grade classrooms. This grant was awarded through the California Department of Education’s Learning Communities for School Success Program (LCSSP).
The Promising Learners Project presents teachers with the opportunity to create engaging environments and learning experiences to provide students the ability to achieve academic and social success, by expanding from TK-third grade youth to 4th-6th grade youth in foster care and youth that are homeless. This project’s unique aspect is its ability to provide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Arts Integration strategies to lead students to achieve greater depth of knowledge and a supportive environment where they are given confidence through a personalized appeal to art.
Baldwin Park, Hacienda La Puente, Keppel Union, and Norwalk-La Mirada school districts will convene this January 10th, 2024 for the PLP Symposium Kickoff Event. Administrators, teachers, staff, and community members will come together for a day of joyful experiences and learning. Building the capacity of our educators will help to set the foundation for our TK-6th grade teachers in connecting and integrating SEL strategies in alignment with MTSS to further support schools that have high rates of chronic absenteeism and out of school suspension rates. As a result, increasing student engagement and motivation, thus reducing chronic absenteeism and bridging student achievement, specifically for foster and homeless youth.
LA County Arts Education Funding Community of Practice Launches
Building on the Prop 28 Planning Boot Camps hosted by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) in the 2022-2023 school year, LACOE launched the Arts Education Funding Community of Practice on September 12, 2023. The event was held virtually and the opening was with keynote speaker Dr. Amir Whitaker. Districts from Los Angeles County and beyond joined to hear inspiring words from Dr. Whitaker and establish the Community of Practice. The Community of Practice will meet throughout the 2023-2024 school year to look at equity and access for arts education. Leveraging Improvement Science practices, districts will explore systems change around funding and programming. Visit here for more information on the Arts Education Funding Community of Practice.
State Partner News
California Art Education Association
CAEA San Diego/Southern Region Conference 2023 Compelling Stories, Authentic Voices
Dates: November 4th- Onsite Conference Events
November 5th- Chicano Park Mural Tour
Location: UC San Diego Park and Market
CAEA San Diego Youth Art Month Show
Submissions open November 1st – December 1st for CAEA/NAEA members. Contact: Elizabeth Wepsic (wepsice@bishops.com)
For other CAEA Youth Art Month Shows Contact:
Northern California Chair: Jaime Shilen
Central California Chair: Jamee Eaton
Southern California Chair and Inland Empire Chair: Kristen Ursenbach
Los Angeles Chair: Christine Terry
Orange County Chair: Vacant (if interested, contact SoCal Chair Kristen Ursenbach)
Save the Date! 2024 CAEA State Conference
November 8-10, 2024, Doubletree by Hilton Anaheim
California Dance Education Association
Earn a Dance Teaching Credential at CSUN!
CSU Northridge is launching its Dance Credential Program this Spring!
Application window open until December 1st.
Fertile Ground 2024 CDEA Statewide Conference
CDEA State Conference “Fertile Ground” is February 9-10 at CSU East Bay. Early Bird Registration and Call for proposals is now open!
California Educational Theatre Association
CETA Southern High School Theatre Festival
The CETA High School Theatre Festival, fall adjudication component, is well underway as our professional judges offer feedback for registered Southern California High School theatre programs. Registration for festival weekend will open on December 5th. This festival is open to all high school theatre programs and consists of 4 full-length plays, workshops, and a number of scene performances.
The festival will be hosted at Fullerton Union High School January 12, 13, 14, 2024.
For more information about the California Educational Theatre Association’s Southern High School Theatre Festival, please visit here.
California Music Educators Association
CMEA Music/Arts Program Leaders Professional Learning Day
The vision of the California Music Educators Association is for all California students to have equitable access to UTK-12 music education that embraces diverse and inclusive music-making throughout California.
Attend the California Music Educators Association annual Music/Arts Program Leaders Professional Learning Day (Northern California) to reconnect and collaborate with current and aspiring arts program leaders across California. Take advantage of the expertise from dozens of fellow program leaders and arts administrative experts in preparing for the new
renaissance of arts education that is on the horizon for all California Schools. Special guest, Letty Kraus (Director, California County Superintendents Statewide Arts Initiative), will be presenting information about Prop 28, and we’ll also discuss developing high impact leadership capacities, strategizing your workday, and identifying a support network.
The 2023 CMEA Music/Arts Program Leaders Professional Learning Day (Northern California) will be held at the Lesher Center for the Arts on Friday, November 17 – Arts Leadership Gathering, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Registration and more information found here. $50 for CMEA/NAfME Members, $75 for non-members
CASMEC Conference
Join music educators across the state and attend the California All-State Music Education Conference January 31, 2024 – February 4, 2024. Register here.
Create California
Share with Students Ages 16-24: Design Advocacy is a fourteen-week course held Wednesdays from January 17th 2024 – April 17th from 4:00 – 5:30pm, taught by an ArtCenter Teaching Artist and Create CA Staff.
Application Closes on 12/18!
Share with High School Students: Applying to art school? Looking to bring your advocacy communications to the next level? Join Lonnie Woods III as he presents Building Your Professional Portfolio. Lonnie brings over 10 years working in secondary, community, and higher education. And serves as the Assistant Director, Employer Relations and Industry Connections at The Patty Disney Center for Life and Work at CalArts.
The California Arts Project (TCAP)
Upcoming 2023 -2024 TCAP Professional Learning Opportunities
TCAP’s Arts Education Implementing Equitable and Effective Arts Education Professional Learning Community for Administrators and Leaders
California is embarking on a new era of arts education with the passage of the Arts and Music in Schools – Funding and Guarantee and Accountability Act. Join other leaders from across the state in the third year of TCAP’s Professional Learning Community for LEA administrators and leaders as we strive to implement the goals of equitable and effective arts education for all students. The sessions are offered through Zoom, are interactive, and provide opportunities for networking and conversations with other administrators from around the state.
Audience: LEA Administrators, Arts Ed Coordinators, TOSA’s
Price: No cost, TCAP funded
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Dates: 9/14/23, 10/19/23, 12/7/23, 1/18/24, 3/14/24, 4/25/24.
Registration Link
Pre Registration is required.
TCAP’s Regional Arts Education Network Communities
TCAP’s statewide and regional arts education network communities, TCAP AEN’s, support TK–12 through post-secondary dance, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts, and CTE AME educators. The network sessions provide opportunities for teachers and administrators to stay informed of statewide and regional arts education news, issues, and to engage in dialogue with others on critical arts education topics.
Audience: Administrators, Educators
Price: No cost, TCAP funded
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Dates: 9/28/23, 11/16/23, 1/25/24, 3/14/24, 5/23/24
TCAP's 16th Courageous Creativity Conference
Join TCAP in June 2024 for their 16th Courageous Creativity Conference! Join the 2024 Interest List to receive the latest conference and registration information.
TCAP District and School Based Customized Professional Learning Programs
Contact TCAP at reach.tcap@gmail.com to learn more about TCAP’s district and school based customized and context specific arts education professional learning programs and strategic planning services.
Arts Education Resources on TCAP's Website
The TCAP website has collections of useful arts education information and resources for teachers, administrators, and arts education advocates. Resources collections include Proposition 28 – Arts and Music in Schools: Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act, California Arts Education’s Framework and Standards, and California’s Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (T-SEL). Visit often, as new collections are added or existing collections are updated.
The California Arts Project www.tcap.net
California Subject Matter Project – https://csmp.online
Facebook – The California Arts Project
Instagram – www.instagram.com/Tcapcalifornia
