VTA serves a diverse population of Solano County and neighboring counties in grades K-12. This dynamic program was created by a group of dedicated families and stakeholders that were seeking choices within the school landscape of the city. The program uses the EL Education model to find and bring working artists into the school to enrich the learning community. Teaching Artists offer dance and visual art, music, creative writing and theatre lessons and experiences to the students. Students have opportunities for self-directed, self-guided collaborative projects to experiment with mediums, express their artistic voices, share their work with authentic audiences and connect to their academic work and professional artists in a meaningful way. Currently, the Five Core Programs are:
Youth Art Magazine – a collection of magazines both printed and online guided, managed, and facilitated by a Youth Editorial Board mentored by professional writers for contributors in grades 5 – 12.
Expanded Learning Integrated Arts. Mixed Media and Music: A program where grade 2 – 8 students in After School programs learn color theory, sound theory, construction, coding, video recording, video editing and sound mixing through collaborative projects,
Creating youth-based spaces for the Performing and Visual Arts, i.e. an art gallery, dance studios, school sites and theaters.
VTA Internship Program – a program for professional artists who aspire to be a teaching artist by providing professional development that connects the skills of their art forms with effective engagement in their teaching.
VTA Summer Studio – a program that creates an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in their artistic practice and craft.
The UBU Youth Record Label is the sixth core program planned for launch in 2023.