With support from the California Arts Council, REDWOOD HEIGHTS PARENTS FUND will provide a 32-week visual arts program for 370 elementary students in general and special education. Artists will work with teachers to offer hands-on, sequential art lessons and arts events throughout the school year. Students of all backgrounds will develop their artistic voice, grow critical thinking skills, and deepen academic learning through this integrated learning model centering diverse local artists.
Weekly, hands-on, arts-integrated instruction for 376 general and special education students with standards-aligned curriculum. Pilot programs (e.g. student digital art portfolios, maker-space, Guest Artist Program, and collaborations with arts organizations). Sharing of best practices: Development of curriculum and evaluation tools and sharing of model through networks, conferences, tours, blog, case studies, and workshops. Professional development– Yearlong schedule with in-class mentoring and ongoing partnerships with Agency by Design, Integrated Learning Specialist Program, Maker Fellowships, Stanford Design School, and visits to arts programs. Community building events to support parent engagement, inclusion, and accessibility of an art program in a public context (e.g. student art shows, Family Art Nights, Mini-Maker Faires, Community Murals, MLK Oratorical Art Exhibit). Field Trips to local museums, artist studios, galleries, and arts organizations.