In partnership with Speaker Anthony Rendon, Frank Gehry, and Gehry Partners, Turnaround Arts: California is proud to play a role in the Los Angeles River revitalization*. In 2018, we began partnerships with five schools along the LA River helping school leadership strategically use the arts to build equity and access for students, transform the school’s culture and climate, and engage family and community members. These partnerships are ongoing and we have plans to continue expanding to new schools in the coming years.

Meet one of our partner schools in Cudahy, Ellen Ochoa Learning Center, in the video below. Renowned Architect and Turnaround Arts: CA Co-founder Frank Gehry, visited with his team of architects to help students envision the future of their community through the arts.

Our Partner Schools along the LA River:
Abbott Elementary – Lynwood
Ellen Ochoa Learning Center – Cudahy
Tweedy Elementary – South Gate
Whaley Middle School – Compton
Zamboni Middle School – Paramount

*The LA River revitalization project integrates design and infrastructure to bring people, water, and nature together across all 51 miles of the LA River. Learn more at riverla.org.

A Turnaround Arts: California Partner School since 2014, Barton Elementary shows how the arts can transform a struggling school into a vibrant and engaging place for students to learn and explore their creativity. Since joining the Turnaround Arts program, Barton has seen their English Language Arts proficiency rate increase by 98%, suspension rates have decreased 11%, and chronic absenteeism has decreased by 15.5%.

Thank you to Fay-Hauser Price for directing this beautiful piece on Barton Elementary for KVCR’s Hope Builders series.
Hauslights, LLC at Hauslights@gmail.com

On Monday, October 28th Turnaround Arts: California convened thought leaders from the fields of education, the arts, psychology and social emotional learning to discuss ways of looking at the work to better understand key leverage points that increase and demonstrate impact. We welcome you to watch parts one and two of the event below!

Part 1:
Welcome, Context and Framing
Malissa Feruzzi Shriver, Co-founder and President, Turnaround Arts: California
Dr. Sarah Bainter Cunningham, Associate Provost for Research and Strategic Partnerships, Rhode Island School of Design
Dr. Akida Kissane Long, Principal Leadership Coach, Turnaround Arts: California
Panel Conversation
Sophie Fanelli (Modertator), President, Stuart Foundation
Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President, Learning Policy Institute
Dr. Ivonne Chand O’Neal, Principal, MUSE Research
Dr. Steve Seidel, Director, Arts in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Dr. Timothy Shriver, Co-founder, Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Part 2: Panelists and Attendees Respond

Vincent Academy in Oakland, CA, launched the 2018-2019 school year as one of 27 Turnaround Arts: California partner schools using the arts to fuel school change efforts. Turnaround Artist Daveed Diggs visited Vincent Academy in celebration of the school’s commitment to leveraging the arts for educational equity.

Since 2016, Sierra Preparatory Academy has partnered with Turnaround Arts: California to use the arts to fuel school change efforts. Turnaround Artist Mark Ronson visits the school annually in celebration of its commitment to leveraging the arts for educational equity, this time engaging with student STEAM projects, the cast of the school’s first-ever musical, and more!

Video: Sandra Selva
Music: www.bensound.com

Happy 90th birthday, Frank Gehry!

Together with our network of 27 partner schools across the state, we strive to honor our co-founder’s pioneering spirit by leveraging the arts for educational equity. We are deeply grateful for Frank Gehry’s commitment to the next generation of imaginative learners and innovative leaders.

Vincent Academy in Oakland, CA, launched the 2018-2019 school year as one of 27 Turnaround Arts: California partner schools using the arts to fuel school change efforts. Turnaround Artist Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards visited the Vincent Academy Wolves in celebration of the school’s commitment to leveraging the arts for educational equity.

Like many kids entering middle school, I felt awkward, lacked confidence, and was hungry to express myself.  Then, I met Bonnie Lavin, our school’s dance teacher, who invited us, the students, to choreograph together. Bonnie saw our potential, and exposure to dance led me to challenge myself academically and approach learning with excitement instead of fear.  Our first performance, inspired by the musical Hair, reverberates through me to this day.

Today, I am thrilled to take on this inspiring new challenge: to be the next Executive Director of Turnaround Arts: California. I join a community of artists and teachers, big thinkers committed to the fundamental and critical role that the arts play in a child’s education and development. I join a community committed to making arts education a reality for all students in California, every day. I join a community that believes in our children and their potential, and our sacred responsibility to expose them to opportunity and nurture their growth.

I want to thank Frank Gehry, Malissa Shriver, Terry Lenihan, and the entire Board of Directors of Turnaround Arts: California for this opportunity. I see I am in excellent company with Barbara Palley, Heather Heslup, and Jacob Campbell of the Turnaround Arts: California team. I cannot wait to meet all the teachers, principals, coaches, superintendents, partners, and collaborators who make this expansive mission thrive and grow every day.

Thank you,
Tiffany Siart
Executive Director

“Let the sun shine in,
Open up your heart and let it shine on in.”
— Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine in, from the musical Hair

Have you heard?!

We added 10 more elementary and middle schools to the #TAcalifornia family. Scroll down to learn about each one of them!

Every Friday for the next 10 Fridays, we’re highlighting one of our 10 new #TAcalifornia schools! Meet Frank J. Zamboni Middle School, our 1st school located in the Paramount Unified School District. We know that Zamboni Middle School is #TurnaroundArts ready because of their strong and passionate staff, eager to enhance core content areas with #artsintegration. ??✨

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jun 1, 2018 at 9:58am PDT

Future so bright, we’ve got to squint a little ?☀ We’re thrilled to welcome Janie P. Abbott Elementary School into the @turnaroundartsnational program this August, our very first #TAcalifornia school in the Lynwood Unified School District!

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jun 8, 2018 at 8:59am PDT

“Having this partnership with Turnaround Arts: California will be transformative by providing equity, access and opportunity to all students regardless of socio-economic background and race.” said Principal Monica Ruiz. ?????? Montgomery Elementary believes in fostering student creativity and critical thinking to problem solve for the greater good. Definitely #TAcalifornia ready! ??

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jun 15, 2018 at 8:57am PDT

1,000 students, staff, & parents from Garfield Elementary completed this 40-foot-long mural of their Wildcat mascot, solely out of handprints ? They’ve got a passionate principal *and* community. We’re hands down excited for the Wildcats to join our #TAcalifornia family! ?

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jun 22, 2018 at 9:21am PDT

“As a Turnaround Arts school we’ll ask, ‘What more can we do? How can we tap into our students’ natural curiosity and encourage them to express their creative ideas?’” With such a strong growth mindset, @mpusdway’s Marina Vista Elementary is a force to be reckoned with. ?? Their teachers and staff know that all children, no matter their background, are innately curious learners. In true #TAcalifornia spirit, they welcome all with open arms. ??✨

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jun 29, 2018 at 9:14am PDT

Welcoming our 3rd school in the Compton Unified School District! Dr. Jennifer Kang Moon, Principal at McKinley, believes that by partnering with #TAcalifornia, “McKinley will expand arts programming to increase student motivation and narrow the achievement gap.” If you can dream it, you can do it! ???

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jul 6, 2018 at 9:04am PDT

At Pine Hill Elementary School, #artsed is a top priority. Their belief that all students benefit when the arts are thoughtfully integrated into curriculum will make them right at home in our #TAcalifornia network. Welcome, Pine Hill Pandas! ???✏

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jul 13, 2018 at 2:59pm PDT

Meet the @southbayunionschooldistrict’s Sharks! ?✨ Their motto? “Aggressively pursuing academic achievement.” They know that a standards-based art curriculum enhances a student’s ability to be college *and* career ready ??

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jul 20, 2018 at 1:28pm PDT

“By the hair on your chinny chin chin, I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in!” ????? . . Did you know that when children participate in theater, they’re also developing self-confidence, empathy, and literacy? @lausd_arts Tweedy Eagles certainly do. Thrilled to welcome you all to our #TAcalifornia team!

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Jul 27, 2018 at 9:00am PDT

Three cheers to welcome #VincentAcademy to #TAcalifornia! ?????? “At Vincent Academy, our commitment to #artseducation is propelled by the belief that our children deserve to learn in an environment that is celebratory of their differences, rigorous in complexity, challenging, and joyful!” ??

A post shared by Turnaround Arts: California (@turnaroundartsca) on Aug 3, 2018 at 3:06pm PDT