The Arts
Learn more about the Seattle K-12 Arts Plan
Visual and Performing Arts Overview
Learn more about the Seattle K-12 Arts Plan
Visual and Performing Arts Overview
The Visual and Performing Arts section of this website is here to support schools in sustaining and increasing quality arts learning opportunities for all students and to let the general public see how the arts are being incorporated in to school programs.
SPS Visual and Performing Arts Department (VPA)
Vision: Cultivating the art within every student every day
Mission: SPS Visual and Performing Arts Program ensures equitable opportunities for quality learning in dance, music, theatre and visual arts, preparing students to be creative successful individuals in the global community.
VPA Goals
- Improve student achievement and development in and through the arts
- Provide standards-based art curriculum to ensure high quality arts programs throughout the district
- Provide professional learning opportunities to develop highly qualified arts educators
- Collaborate effectively with district staff, families, arts organizations, community and higher education to increase access to quality arts learning
- Create internal systems and advocate for policies that support equitable arts programs
Seattle K-12 Arts Learning Collaborative
Seattle Public Schools is partnering with the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs and community arts organizations to create a citywide collaboration to ensure that all students in all schools have opportunities to learn through the arts, helping them be successful in school and in life. Project Information.
Arts Education Partnership Initiative
LIn 2008 SPS and the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs established the Arts Education Partnership Initiative. The overarching goal of the partnership has been to build district capacity and a systematic approach to provide sustainable, equitable, quality arts learning in Seattle Public Schools. We are now in the fourth year of our partnership.
Seattle Public Schools was recently awarded a $1 million grant from New York-based Wallace Foundation to engage the community and develop and multi-year plan for introducing more arts instruction into the classroom. The Foundation's Arts Learning Initiative planning grant, which runs from July 2011 through January 2013, will support development of a comprehensive K-12 arts education plan aimed at increasing quality arts learning opportunities for all students. To learn more, read the recent press release.
Arts Education Opportunities
Community Arts Program Listings Database
The listings of community arts program are always available on this searchable database Click here to see the latest Arts Educational Opportunities
Please note that program listings do not equate to an endorsement by Seattle Public Schools. Specific questions about the programs should be addressed directly to the sponsoring arts organization that has provided SPS with information.
If you work for a community arts organization and would like to submit a program listing for the Community Arts Program Listings Database, you can find the submission form at our website here. Submissions are updated on the first Friday of every month.
2012-2013 PTSA Reflections Program
The Reflections Art Program is a National and State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. This year's theme is: "The Magic of a Moment." A student may submit an entry in any one of six arts areas - Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video and Choreography/Dance. Only original works of art are accepted. Application form
Resources
- Community Arts Organizations' Frequently Asked Questions
- International Arts Guide
- Elementary Instrumental Music Program
- Survey of District Arts Activities
was conducted in fall 2008. It provides the first Districtwide look at what is taking place in arts teaching and activities in elementary, middle, high and alternative schools since the 1970s. - Arts Specialist Resources: Curriculum Maps, Unit and Lesson Planning Templates (SPS staff only)