We are deeply grateful for our partnership network of schools, teachers, arts organizations, teaching artists, and advocates statewide who helped make the 2023-2024 school year a success!

As our schools face significant pressure to make up for pandemic “learning loss,” amid ongoing challenges to mental health and community wellbeing, the arts are playing an important role in providing a source of joy, connection, learning, and engagement for students, families, and teachers.

Together, we reached:

24 public elementary and middle schools in marginalized communities across California
650 teachers and principals
11,380 K-8 students

Your support helped provide:

The impacts our teachers are seeing:

95% of teachers reported the arts had a positive impact on student engagement this year. An additional 85% reported a positive impact on academic learning and 89% reported a positive impact on social-emotional learning. A teacher at Echo Valley Elementary in Salinas shared, “My students used the skills they learned in the arts to support their learning, comprehension, and communication. Even typically shy students were sharing their ideas and feelings.”

93% reported that their school’s atmosphere and culture celebrates creativity and artistic achievements. A teacher at Zamboni Middle School in Paramount shared, “Our students have an opportunity to embrace the arts, be creative, and shine.”

83% reported that their school regularly engages families through the arts. A teacher at Abbott Elementary in Lynwood shared, “Through events like musical performances and creative workshops, families actively participate in their children’s education. This has fostered stronger relationships between families and the school and enriched the learning experience for students.”