Student Artwork featured in 2025 CISC Symposium
Left to right: “The Winter Muse”, by Haylie C., 12th Grade, Humboldt County, “Me, an Ox, and a Butterfly”, by Coralynn P., 1st Grade, San Diego County, “Untitled”, by Kyera C., 12th Grade, Calaveras County
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Inside This Issue
- California County Superintendents Arts Initiative News
- Regional and County News and Events from Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Ventura County Offices of Education.
- State Partner News from California Arts Education Association, AME Institute, Create CA, and, Arts Education Alliance
Arts Initiative News
What is the Statewide Arts Initiative?
The Statewide Arts Initiative has released a new video celebrating the incredible work happening in arts classrooms across California. Featuring footage from Butte, El Dorado, Del Norte, Riverside, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, and Tulare County Offices of Education, the video highlights the vital role counties play in ensuring every student in California has access to high-quality arts education.
Expanding Access to Arts Education: 25-26 Community of Practice
It’s not too late to join our Community of Practice! Our next virtual session is on December 5th from 10:00 am – 11:30am. Register below for this FREE Professional Learning Opportunity.
Audience: Participation is open to all county and district arts education leaders, PK-12 arts teachers, teaching artists, and community arts organizations.
Dates: 12/5, 2/6, 3/6, 4/10
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am
Location: Virtual
Strategic Planning for Arts Education
We’re celebrating new Strategic Arts Education Plans in Tulare, Kings, Contra Costa, and Lake County Offices of Education! Each plan lays out a bold vision for the future of arts learning. Click each plan below to learn more.
Also published in Spanish!
Putting Region 7 on the Map
In October, the six county leads from Region 7 (Aaron Bryan – Fresno County; Tawnya Larkin – Kings County; Rosie Blanco – Madera County; Cara Goger – Mariposa County; Noelle Chandler – Merced County; and Kate Stover – Tulare County), embarked on a new adventure. Joined by facilitator Peggy Burt, the group collaborated over two days to begin development of the first regional strategic arts education plan in the state. The Region 7 team have referred to themselves as Highway 99 Arts for several years and they are calling their new strategic plan the Highway 99 Arts Roadmap. The team is currently working to revise and refine the Roadmap before a public release in the spring of 2026.
Arts Initiative Interactive Map
Don’t forget about our Strategic Planning webpage. Discover tools and resources to support your arts education planning. Our interactive map showcases county and district-level strategic plans.
If your plan isn’t listed, submit it through the intake form to help expand this shared resource. You’ll also find curated guides and materials to support every stage of your planning journey, from vision to implementation.
Region 9 Arts Lead Pauline Crooks Receives CETA Award
Congratulations to Pauline Crooks, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator at San Diego County Office of Education on receiving California Educational Theatre Association’s 2025 Administrator of the Year Award.
Pauline’s leadership supports arts education across 42 districts and nearly 780 schools in San Diego County. From guiding Prop 28 implementation to leading Arts Empower San Diego, her impact on arts equity, teacher support, and strategic planning is profound.
We’re proud to celebrate a true advocate for arts education!
California Student Media Festival
Showcase Student Art and Volunteer to Judge!
Since 1966 the California Student Media Festival (CSMF) has provided a public venue for TK-12 students to submit their original media projects for professional review and public recognition: rewarding and acknowledging students’ successful classroom work at an awards event in spring every year. Over the last 25 years, the Festival has awarded nearly $200,000 to California schools and judged more than 6000 student contestants’ media projects.
Teachers and students don’t miss this FREE Opportunity to showcase student media projects! Any student media created between March 30, 2025 and March 31, 2026 is eligible to enter.
The Festival is also calling for judges to review students’ work. This is a great opportunity for educators to see what students can do with project-based learning, technology, and content creation. Judging is done online and takes between two to three hours, which can be spread out across two weeks.
Volunteer to Judge Here
Art Submission Window: January 19 – March 31, 2026
Festival Date: May 16th, 2026 (In person and virtual)
Website: https://www.mediafestival.org/
Questions? CAStudentMediafest@gmail.com.
CISC Symposium Call for Artwork
The statewide CISC Symposium is looking to represent all 58 County Offices of Education for student artwork. The deadline is December 1st.
This year’s theme, “Synapse,” celebrates the connection between neuroscience and learning. This is such a great opportunity to share student growth, connection, and creativity, and to provide examples of the ways our brains and hearts make meaning through the arts.
Don't Forget about these Arts Initiative Website Resources!
County News and Events
Explore how County Offices of Education are supporting arts education implementation across the state through professional learning, and celebrations of student artists. Please refer to the updated arts leads contact list if you have questions about any of these items.
Butte County Office of Education
Region 2 Arts Leads Launch Networking Series for Arts Teachers
The Region 2 Arts Leads will kick off a new three-part Networking Series for Arts Teachers, created in response to a need identified through Butte County’s strategic planning process as well as feedback from new arts teachers hired from new Prop 28 funding who expressed a desire to collaborate and learn from their peers. Many arts educators in rural Region 2 schools find themselves as the only person in their role within a school—or even across an entire district. This series was designed to help those teachers connect, share experiences, and build a supportive professional community.
Contra Costa County Office of Education
CCCOE's NEW Strategic Arts Plan!
Contra Costa County Office of Education is proud to announce the publishing of the CCCOE Strategic Arts Plan 2025-2030! With support from The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, the Contra Costa County Office of Education was awarded funding for Strategic Arts Education Planning in 2024. Beginning in February 2025, with the broad perspective of the arts planning team, all came together to envision the future for arts education in Contra Costa County, ensuring students have access to a high-quality arts education PK-12th Grade.
Our CCCOE Strategic Arts Plan addresses the need for equitable access by implementing several key strategies:
- Goal 1 – Secure Seed Funding and Explore Ongoing Funding Options for Plan Implementation with Trusted Partners
- Goal 2 – Curate Curriculum and provide Arts Education PD to educators, supporting a high-quality arts education experience for ALL students
- Goal 3 – Expand Accessible & Active Community Partnerships
- Goal 4 – Build Broader Understanding for the Value of the Arts through Communications and Showcasing Student Work
- Goal 5 – Support and Develop Arts Leadership
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Fresno County Youth Poet Laureate
The Fresno County Superintendent of Schools is thrilled to announce Evy Singh as our inaugural Fresno County Youth Poet Laureate! On November 19, Evy Singh was named the inaugural Fresno County Youth Poet Laureate!
Evy is a sophomore with numerous academic awards and honors who combines her passion for poetry, storytelling, mental health advocacy, the arts, and community service to positively impact the world around her. Recognized in county-wide public speaking and art competitions, her poetry speaks with a powerful and beautiful voice that uplifts and inspires students and adults alike.
Evy will represent FCSS and the students of Fresno County at numerous events throughout the year, starting with the Fresno County Educator of the Year Awards on November 20 where she shared her outstanding poem One Day, I Will Be An Elementary Teacher.
The inaugural Fresno County Youth Poet Laureate Program builds on our long-standing commitment to lifting student voice and promoting literacy across our schools. For years, FCSS has worked to create opportunities for students to lead, express themselves, and make a difference. This program is an exciting new chapter in that journey. In partnership with Urban Word, the producer of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program and Movement, this initiative celebrates young people who use poetry to express ideas, spark conversation, and inspire change. Supported by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Academy of American Poets, the Poetry Society of America, and other literary partners, it highlights the power of words to shape hearts, minds, and communities.
We were thrilled to introduce the four extraordinary finalists for the first-ever Fresno County Youth Poet Laureate: Aviana Arambula (freshman, Design Science MIddle College High Schools), Aubree Anderson (freshman, Riverdale High School), Rajkiran Jandu (Sophomore, Central High School), and our winner. Each of these students represents the creativity, courage, and purpose that make Fresno County shine. Through their words, they remind us that student voice is not just being heard, it is leading the way.
Kings County Office of Education
KCOE SEL Art Contest "Pieces of Me"
The Kings County Office of Education proudly received more than 300 student submissions for our third annual SEL Art Contest. This year’s theme, “Pieces of Me,” invited students from TK through high school to reflect on the elements, experiences, and perspectives that shape their identities. Representing all thirteen school districts across Kings County, students embraced the opportunity to express themselves in meaningful and authentic ways.
Their interpretations of the theme were as diverse as the students themselves. Some artists chose a literal lens, illustrating the many pieces that contribute to who they are, such as family, culture, interests, and values. Others experimented with abstraction, symbolism, or storytelling to highlight one powerful aspect of their identity. Across all submissions, the creativity, vulnerability, and depth students demonstrated speak to the importance of providing them with accessible and supportive spaces for artistic expression.
KCOE remains deeply committed to uplifting arts education and recognizes the transformative benefits of all five arts disciplines in students’ social-emotional development. Contests like this not only celebrate student talent but also foster empathy, community, and connection—strengthening the culture of both our schools and our wider county.
Every participating student will receive a small gift in recognition of their contribution, and a select number of submissions will be featured on the walls of the county office for the remainder of the year. We extend heartfelt appreciation to the teachers, administrators, and families who encouraged students to take part, and to all who continue advocating for arts education in Kings County. This contest grows richer each year, and we are already looking forward to the creativity and insight next year’s theme will inspire.
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Promise Learners Project
The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s (LACOE’s) Promising Learners Project (PLP) Year Two has evolved into an “Encore of Empowerment,” integrating theater and music to support social-emotional learning across 18 participating schools. Building upon the success of Year One’s comprehensive Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS), Social Emotional Learning (SEL)-Arts Integration program for grades 4-8, this year’s implementation has demonstrated remarkable reach and depth, serving 5,210 students across three districts while maintaining focus on our most vulnerable populations, particularly foster and unhoused youth. The program reached an extraordinary scale with 12,220 total student touchpoints through guest artist assemblies and special performances, while training 409 staff members through various professional development modalities
Last year, the PLP Academy at Diamond Bar Center laid the foundation for Year Two implementation, bringing together 103 participants for transformative professional development focused on theater and music integration. The Academy featured keynote speaker Jonathan Grant Brown, who shared strategies to empower youth through resilience-building and skill development, with 86.2% of respondents rating their increased knowledge and capacity-building at the highest level (5/5), and 89.2% rating the learning environment as maximally engaging and effective. Guest artist Kellen Law delivered an interactive session demonstrating theater-based strategies for fostering resilience, while Conga Kids introduced African Diaspora cultural elements aligned with themes of inclusion and belonging through their Bridges to America performance, which extended cultural programming to an additional 1,800 students across all service schools and at a community event at Hacienda La Puente Unified.
The Promising Learners Project’s innovative “Encore of Empowerment” approach has proven particularly effective through assembly-style professional development that brings together both teachers and students. Theater integration data shows 86.7% of teacher respondents found the strategies helpful or very helpful for improving student social-emotional learning, 83.3% reported increased student enjoyment in learning, and 76.7% indicated increased personal enjoyment in teaching. For academic integration, 70% found the strategies helpful for engaging students in developing language skills, while 80% reported effectiveness in engaging students in content areas. Strong partnerships continue with LACOE’s specialized units, including the Foster Care Unit, Homeless Unit, Child Welfare and Attendance Unit, and the Data, Assessment, and Accountability Unit, creating a robust framework for achieving program objectives through data-driven decision-making.
The program maintains strong alignment with participating districts’ LCAP goals, particularly in reducing chronic absenteeism, improving school climate, increasing student engagement, supporting foster youth and homeless students, and improving academic performance in ELA and Math. Baldwin Park USD has integrated PLP strategies into attendance improvement initiatives across four schools. Hacienda La Puente USD has embedded arts-integration into its MTSS framework across seven schools. Keppel Union SD has leveraged PLP programming to support English learner populations at six schools. Looking ahead, expanded family engagement initiatives are underway for 2025-2026, including active participation in LEA parent and family community events such as Parent University and College and Career days, further strengthening the home-school connection and ensuring the sustainability of this transformative approach to arts-based social-emotional learning.
Creative Aware Project
On October 23, 2025, 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, facilitated the Creative AWARE Exchange for participants from partnering districts (Bellflower USD, Inglewood USD, Keppel Union SD, and Temple City USD) in addition to other LA County districts. The Creative AWARE Project is a federally funded grant that aims to improve awareness of mental health, improve access to culturally relevant activities, increase mental health literacy for individuals who interact with students, and foster resilience building and wellbeing for school-aged youth through the arts. Participants included teachers, psychologists, counselors, administrators, and support staff who convened at the Universal Sheraton in Universal City to engage in professional learning related to the development of three-tiered comprehensive mental health systems in schools in addition to experiencing the power of the arts in relation to wellness.
This 5-year grant project supports the four LEAs in their systemic improvement for social-emotional learning and mental health services, utilizing the arts as a conduit to serve the wellbeing of students by amplifying their voices, elevating their stories, and providing a space to communicate their needs. School staff were provided with evidence-based strategies and practices that support students and staff in addition to facilitated conversations from content experts to assist districts in the development of their mental health services plans for students. Additionally, participants partook in art-making and wellness activities during the event. The intentionality behind engaging school staff in arts-related activities – including poetry, media arts, visual art, dance, and music – served to improve knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to the integration of art as a foundational tool for social-emotional learning and a potential screening tool to provide students with any needed additional resources.
Arts Program Assessment Workshop: Measure What You Treasure
Effectively assessing arts programs allows leaders to know what is working for our students in and through the arts. Now, more than ever, strategically leveraging funds can extend the reach of Prop 28, the Arts and Music in Schools Funding and Accountability Act. Prop 28 has been a leverage point for more arts education in our schools, and as we move forward, we need to know and communicate to our community and our Boards of Education how our funding resources are distributed for maximum impact.
This workshop will support all districts in Los Angeles County to strengthen the assessment section of the Advancement Grant, create assessment strategies that can be applied to all funding sources and understand how to make decisions with students at the center. Send a team to lead your efforts and make each dollar count. This event is held in partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture Arts Ed Collective and the Greater L.A. Education Foundation.
In this half-day workshop participants will learn about tools to assess visual and performing arts programs in a practical, accessible way:
- Understand how to assess arts programs with templates and tools
- Explore ways to include student voice in expanding access, equity and quality
- Analyze actual L.A. County school district case studies
- Learn about output and outcome considerations
- Anchor assessment to the California Arts Education Framework
- Leverage assessment for funding opportunities like the Advancement Grant and more
Marin County Office of Education
Novato High Schools-Marin School of the Arts- Art and Design Program
The Marin County Office of Education, hosts a monthly rotating art show highlighting student art work and programs across Marin County. The following images are from students in the Art and Design program at Novato High School’s – Marin School of the Arts. The Art and Design program focuses on art within a cultural and social justice lens. Teacher Roxana Leiva holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts, a master’s in Education and MA Studies in Latin American Arts and Culture. Her research and practice topics within the arts have a focus on social justice and human rights, particularly in the histories of Latin American dictatorships and diasporas. Students in her class study 2D and 3D techniques through projects that also ask students to develop their own perspective and communicate it through their art. The Lotteria series of original posters were conceived by Art and Design students as commentary on the issues they believe are most important to their generation today. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Mexican game of Lotería, each student reimagined a card as a symbolic reflection of contemporary struggles—ranging from climate change and gender identity to immigration and racial justice. By blending cultural heritage with modern-day activism, the series invites viewers to consider how visual storytelling can challenge systems of power and amplify underrepresented voices.
Monterey County Office of Education
North Monterey County Unified School District
Former North Monterey County High School band director Marcie Chapa led an engaging drums and percussion skills class for elementary NEST students in collaboration with Monterey Jazz Education, inspiring young musicians to explore rhythm, creativity, and self-expression. Drawing on her extensive experience as a performer and educator, Chapa created an energetic, hands-on learning environment that sparked students’ enthusiasm for music and strengthened their confidence as budding artists. This collaboration showcases the power of community partnerships in bringing high-quality arts education to Monterey County’s youth and nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Mrs. Guadalupe, the Family and Community Engagement Specialist, led an engaging lesson for Elkhorn Elementary students on the history and cultural significance of Día de Muertos. Through storytelling and art, students learned how this tradition honors the memories of loved ones and celebrates life. Together, they created a beautiful altar (ofrenda) adorned with student artwork, photos, and meaningful decorations, showcasing their creativity and deepening their appreciation for cultural heritage and community connection.
Monterey Peninsula Unified School Districts
Marina High School’s Link Crew and Freshman Class hosted a lively pumpkin painting contest, fostering community spirit, creativity, and festive fun among students. The event encouraged collaboration and school pride as participants showcased their artistic talents, transforming pumpkins into colorful works of art that brought seasonal joy and connection to the campus.
Santa Rita Union School Districts
Gavilan View Elementary had the privilege of hosting the Monterey String Quartet as part of the Carmel Bach Festival’s String Outreach program, offering students a unique opportunity to experience live classical music. The quartet’s performance captivated young audiences, fostering an appreciation for the arts and inspiring students to explore the beauty and creativity of instrumental music.
Riverside County Office of Education
Riverside County Office has just wrapped up their 5th Teen Poet Laureate awards for the 2025-26 school year. It was a banner year, with 163 students submitting, and 35 finalists who were published in our annual chapbook. Our Spiderwoman art contest, open to all ages is currently accepting submissions. It is a follow up to last year’s The Hundred Dresses, which saw 850 submissions. We hope to match or even best that record this year! We are looking forward to our first ever Stage Hair and Makeup professional development day, in support of our county’s theater programs. Click the flyers below to learn more!
San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
2026 Arts Events in San Bernardino County!
Click on the flyer to learn more!
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Studio Pathways Leads the Artspiration Two-Year Work Plan Refresh 2026-28
Thirty members of the Santa Clara County arts ecosystem – arts teachers, district and county administrators, arts leaders – came together to refresh the strategic direction of the work of Artspiration, the arts education initiative of the Santa Clara County Office of Education for 2026-2028. See this space for a revised vision and mission statement for the new plan!
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Día de los Muertos
Our community had many celebrations for Dia de los Muertos including this one with community arts partner Pajaro Valley Arts and the dancers from Estrellas de Esperanza.
Poetry Out Loud
We are working with our arts partner, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, to facilitate and host the annual Poetry Out Loud event using the original anthology. Students are excited to make their voices heard by selecting poems that speak to their experiences of being a teen in the world at this time.
STEAM Expo
Our community is gearing up for our 3rd STEAM Expo which will take place on March 28th at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds and includes the Science Fair, Invention Convention and non-competitive projects and performances. The event is open to the public on March 28th, with interactive activities, performances and fun for everyone. We have a wide representation of districts, schools, arts, tech and community partners who will have booths highlighting the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. This includes projects from our MakerSpaces.
Youth Artists Taking Action- JOIN US!
Santa Cruz County Office of Education hosts 8 student groups for teens. We encourage students to join one or more of our county-wide youth groups where they will work with other youth throughout our county on projects such as a film about the power of arts education with the Youth Artists Taking Action group; the Youth Environmental Summit or the World Language Showcase in April!
Tulare County Office of Education
A new era for the arts in Tulare County! We are proud to introduce the Tulare County Creative Blueprint for Arts Education. The Blueprint is a newly updated and revised 10-year strategic arts education plan for the county. Developed in partnership with local educators, arts leaders, and community partners, the Blueprint builds from the foundation created by the original 2018 Tulare County Arts Master Plan. The updated plan details strategic actions and innovative initiatives the county office and its partners will implement throughout the next decade in support of high-quality arts teaching and learning. Approved by the Tulare County Board of Education on October 1, 2025, the Blueprint will ensure universal access to the arts for the students, families, and communities of Tulare County.
Ventura County Office of Education
Ventura County Students Dazzle at the 2025 Visual and Performing Arts Showcase
The Ventura County Office of Education proudly hosted its annual Visual and Performing Arts Showcase on November 5, 2025, at the Conference and Educational Services Center (CESC) in Camarillo. The event was a vibrant celebration of student creativity, featuring an impressive array of visual and performing arts from schools across the county. Guests were treated to an inspiring exhibition of student work, including poetry, drawings, paintings, and sculptures, alongside captivating live performances. The evening’s highlights included musical skits from student theatre classes, advanced band performances, a classical piano solo, and a high-energy high school dance routine that brought the audience to their feet. The showcase once again demonstrated the powerful role art plays in developing creativity, emotional growth, problem-solving skills, and confidence in students. Families, educators, and community members filled the venue to cheer on the young artists and celebrate their dedication and talent. Adding to the evening’s enjoyment, hors d’oeuvres were prepared and served by students from the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy, offering a delicious start to the festivities. The Visual and Performing Arts Showcase continues to be a cornerstone event for Ventura County, providing students with a platform to express themselves, share their passion, and gain valuable performance experience. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the next generation of Ventura County artists!
For information about participating in future showcases, please contact Shannon Krone at skrone@vcoe.org.
25-26 VCOE VAPA Leadership Network
VCOE has started this year’s 25-26 VCOE Visual and Performing Arts Leadership Network series. During this year’s FREE networking opportunity, we welcome Sandy Seufert, an experienced Arts Education Leadership Consultant, to lead Ventura County districts/LEAs in a dynamic professional development series titled: “Flexing our Inquiry Muscle – Supporting All Arts Learners through the Power of Questions.” This series will empower leaders and Grade Span Teams to cultivate curiosity and enhance learning for all students in the arts. LEAs will gain practical insights and tools for crafting impactful questions, designing inclusive instruction, and leveraging technology for innovative lesson planning. The next Network dates will be December 9, 2025, and February 24, 2026. Register here!
California Arts Education Association
Bakersfield Museum of Art, 'Via Arte at The Marketplace' 2025
Many CAEA Central members volunteered their time and talents as artists, advisors for students representing their schools, and workers to support the success of the Annual Bakersfield Museum of Art, ‘Via Arte at The Marketplace’ 2025 Italian Street Painting Event and Contest. Congratulations to CAEA Central member Lisa Mayo’s Highland High School students, representing CAEA Central at the event, where they took home the Overall High School Winner chalk painting recognition.
CAEA North Conference
The 2025 CAEA North Conference was held on October 18 at the Crocker Art Museum, uniting art educators, administrators, and teaching artists for a day of learning and inspiration. Keynote speaker Gioia Fonda, Sacramento City College professor and interdisciplinary artist, highlighted the impact of mentorship in education. The event concluded with an Awards Ceremony that celebrated Northern Area art educators Luis-Genaro Garcia, Amy Lange, Sarah Rodriguez, Rossi Jensen, and Anthony Dahl who were each recognized for their distinct impact.
CAEA San Diego Members: Dia de Los Muertos
Several CAEA members working in the San Diego Unified School District participated in a Dia De Los Muertos event in Old Town San Diego. Student works across 30+ schools, from elementary, middle, and high schools, were displayed honoring remembrance, resilience, and the beauty of our community. CAEA Member Meera Ramanathan said it was a wonderful event, and students were thrilled to see their work displayed in such a beautiful space.
San Diego Educators Printmaking Workshop
CAEA San Diego members enjoyed a successful November printmaking workshop organized by Bob Medina and Alyssa Navapanich at the Emo Brown Foundation. Educators from all grade levels explored collagraph, Gelli plate, linoleum, mat board, and styrofoam printing techniques. Thanks to generous donations from Gelli Arts and Nasco, participants took home their own Gelli and linoleum plates along with finished samples. Participants expanded their knowledge and shared creative methods in a fun, collaborative half-day event.
CAEA San Diego YAM Art Exhibition
CAEA San Diego Youth Art Month Exhibition will be from December 4, 2025, to January 11, 2026, at the Poway Performing Arts Center, 15498 Espola Rd, Poway, CA 92064. The closing reception will be held on January 11, 2026.
AME Institute
Bay Area AME Pop-Up
Get ready for a day of creativity, connection, and professional learning at the 2026 Bay Area Pop-Up! This one-day event invites AME educators to collaborate with peers and industry leaders. Afternoon sessions will once again feature experts from ABC-7, Adobe, Pixar, Unity, the California Film Commission, and new partner IDEO, offering real-world insights to bring back to the classroom. Don’t wait to reserve your spot in the afternoon session of your choice!
Date: February 13, 2026
Location: San Francisco, CA
Registration Link
January Bootcamps
Registration is open for the AME Institute’s January Bootcamps! Join fellow educators for two days of hands-on professional learning led by industry experts. This year’s bootcamps include Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Generative AI, Unreal Engine, Game-based Creation, Esports 101 and Event Production, Houdini, Propared, and the new CA–AED Standards. Each session includes breakfast, lunch, and immersive training to help you bring industry-standard tools and skills back to your classroom.
Date: January 17 and 18
Location: Burbank, CA
Registration Link
Create California
Save the Dates for Arts Now Meetups 25-26
Your space to connect with peers and colleagues across California! These open-format gatherings dive into the realities of arts education today, creating opportunities to address shared challenges, exchange promising practices, request support, and explore emerging ideas and trends. Find community, build partnerships, and gain the motivation to strengthen your advocacy for arts education.
Arts Education Alliance
Share How Your Schools Used Federal Funds for Arts Education in 2024-2025!
The Arts Education Alliance and NAMM’s SupportMusic Coalition invite K–12 arts leaders to complete the 2024–25 Federal Funds Survey by December 12. Your input on how federal funds (Titles I, II, IV-A) supported music, dance, theatre, media, and visual arts in your school or district helps us track impact, identify needs, and strengthen advocacy. The survey takes about 20 minutes; for some questions, you’ll need to consult with district staff familiar with federal funding data to ensure accuracy. Take the survey today!
