Student Artwork (Left to Right):
“A Safe Space” by Sofia Leung, Irvington HS, Alameda County
“Flower Crown Cow” by Kasandra Loya, Barbara Worth Junior HS, Imperial County
“Lady in the Stars” by Olivia Rivera, Upland HS, San Bernardino County
Inside This Issue
In March, we celebrate Arts Education Month. This month we recognize the work that arts educators across the state do to support high quality arts education across the state. Thank you for all that you do!
Arts Initiative News
Message from the Director
After more than 30 years in education, I am excited to announce that I will be retiring as of August 31 this year. I have been honored to serve as Arts Initiative Director, especially during the passage and first few years of the Arts and Music in Schools Funding and Accountability Act (Proposition 28) which has brought so much attention to arts education in California.
In my time as Director, I have enjoyed collaborating with educators and organizations from all over the state and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity, especially because it enabled me to be in the field to further support implementation of the work that I did at the California Department of Education on the development of the California Arts Standards and Arts Education Framework. I feel tremendous gratitude and am excited for the future of the Arts Initiative, for arts education in California, and for my own future as a community member with more time to support the arts.
The Arts Initiative provides critical support to LEAs statewide and California County Superintendents is now accepting applications for the next Arts Initiative Director. You can find the application below. This summer, I look forward to introducing the next Director who will lead us into the future and help fulfill the mission to expand access to arts education for more students, everywhere in the state.
2025 Heroes of Arts Education Gala
On March 12th, 2025, Letty Kraus was the recipient of the Outstanding Arts Education Leader award by the Friends of Sacramento Arts. California County Superintendents staff, and arts colleagues joined together to celebrate this great honor. She was awarded with an art piece made by students from Cordova High School. Letty, thank you for everything you’ve done to ensure high quality standards-based arts education for our California students!
Arts Education Articles
Over the last eighteen months, a number of county arts leads have been featured in articles from EdSource. We invite you to revisit them! Thanks to Karen D’Souza for covering arts education in our state.
- For preschool educator, kids’ paintings give them a deep brush with themselves
- Mariachi program teaches history and culture as well as music
- Can arts education help children heal from trauma?
- Arts education takes flight outdoors in Mariposa County
- Allison Gamlen’s journey from actor to arts educator
Do you have any questions about Arts Education in your County? Please refer to the updated arts leads contact list.
California Student Media Festival
The organizers of the California Student Media Festival are seeking entries from all corners of the state. They provide a free platform for students to share their work with potential to win recognition and awards for their schools. This is a great way to showcase student voice, creativity, and media arts skills while also elevating stories about the good work happening in schools and communities. Entries are due April 1st, please register at mediafestival.org.
Check out this Claymation video “Metamorphosis” by Bryn Wright from El Camino Creek Elementary, which won a grand prize at the Media Arts Festival in 2023! Check out more festival winners.
Strategic Planning in Siskiyou County
Check out the recent Siskiyou COE Connection podcast episode which features Peggy Burt and Arts Educator Andrea Marchyok who discuss the “why” and “how” of their strategic planning process.
Pastel Society of the West Coast Scholarship!
Scholarship opportunity is available. For more information click on this flyer.
Deadline: April 15th, 2025
