In two school districts in Marin, the arts are being integrated into classroom learning in new ways. In one kindergarten class in Sausalito, students are learning a variety of new skills, including how to let go of having “the right answer.”  Read more.

Learn more about arts education

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Find out about the results of our grantmaking

MCF Strategic Plan:

Arts Education

Arts education proponents and advocates believe that understanding and appreciating the arts and cultural experiences are vital components of every young person's education and development. Without opportunities for progressive skill building in and through the arts across age and grade levels, Marin's students will not be fully prepared for healthy and productive participation in their adult lives and in their communities.

Accomplishing this requires informed leadership among multiple stakeholders, professional development for school administrators and teachers, technical assistance and program evaluation to develop curricula, and advocacy to create and sustain effective arts education for all Marin students. MCF also recognizes that a full education in the arts takes place not only within the classroom during the school day, but also in various out-of-school settings, through community arts activities and organizations.

Strategy 1: Conduct a demonstration project that meets state arts education standards

MCF believes the most effective way to advance the systemic changes necessary to reintroduce a comprehensive, standards-based arts education is through carefully developed demonstration projects. Educators taking part in these efforts are developing comprehensive arts education plans, assessing student achievement, and evaluating the lessons learned.

Grants made since the implementation of MCF's Strategic Plan:

Strategy 1 Grants
Organization Description Awarded Amount
Larkspur School District To support participation in the Arts Education Demonstration Project for the first year of implementation. $408,000
Larkspur School District To support planning and pre-development activities as part of the Demonstration Project Strategy of the Arts Education Goal. $68,000
Larkspur School District To support the Arts Demonstration project in the Larkspur School District. $306,000
Larkspur School District To support the arts demonstration project. $306,000
Marin Community Foundation To provide technical assistance and consulting services in support of the Arts Education Demonstration Project. $156,000
Marin Community Foundation To provide technical assistance and support the arts summer institute. $196,000
Marin Community Foundation To provide technical assistance for implementation of the Audience Development strategy. $23,000
Marin Community Foundation To provide technical assistance to arts education grantees. $146,000
Marin Community Foundation To support consultant work for the arts. $28,250
Marin Community Foundation To support consultant work for the arts. $56,700
Marin Community Foundation To support technical assistance for select school districts and nonprofit providers to craft arts education plans. $32,000
Marin Community Foundation To support the 2009 Arts Education Demonstration Project Art Teachers Training Institute. $47,000
Marin Community Foundation To support the Arts Demonstration Project Arts Institute. $29,175
Marin Community Foundation To support the development and refinement of the Engagement in the Arts and Arts Education Community Goal areas. $8,500
Sausalito Marin City School District To support development and implementation of the Arts Education Demonstration Project in the Sausalito Marin City School District. $303,000
Sausalito Marin City School District To support interim design and development of an Arts Education Plan as part of participation in the Marin Community Foundation's Arts Education Demonstration Project $51,000
Sausalito Marin City School District To support the Arts Demonstration project in the Sausalito Marin City School District. $188,700
Sausalito Marin City School District To support the arts demonstration project. $248,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support artist residencies in Marin public elementary and middle schools and related arts education programming . $30,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support planning, professional development, and interim instruction as part of Marin Community Foundation's Arts Education Demonstration Project. $37,000
Total Grants Strategy 1: $2,668,325.00
 

Strategy 2: Support innovative arts programs for underserved Marin students

Public schools across Marin face enormous challenges in providing arts education for their students. In addition, many students do not have access to out-of-school arts education and enrichment opportunities. Support is being given to in-school programs as well as out-of-school arts enrichment programs that reach underserved students.

Grants made since the implementation of MCF's Strategic Plan:

Strategy 2 Grants
Organization Description Awarded Amount
Ali Akbar College of Music To support performances, lectures, and classroom music education in Marin public schools. $15,000
Ali Akbar College of Music To support performances, lectures, and classroom music education in Marin public schools. $15,000
Baulines Crafts Guild To provide experiences in fine craft to educators and youth in Marin. $10,000
Baulines Crafts Guild To support Craft, Creativity, and Youth. $20,000
California Poets in the Schools To support in-school literary arts education programs. $15,000
California Poets in the Schools To support Marin Poets in the Schools. $20,000
California Poets in the Schools To support poet residencies and literary arts instruction in Marin public schools. $25,000
California Poets in the Schools To support poet residencies and literary arts instruction in multiple Marin public schools. $25,000
Dominican University of California To support "Cultivate, Create, Connect" Art Education Project. $12,000
Enriching Lives Through Music To support strategic planning. $20,000
Falkirk Cultural Center To support a visual arts education program for elementary schools in Marin. $25,000
Marin Community Foundation To support arts programming. $40,000
Marin Community Foundation To support consultant work for the arts. $30,000
Marin Community Foundation To support refinement of the Arts Education Community Grants goal area. $25,000
Marin Museum of the American Indian To support Coast Miwok Outreach. $10,000
Marin Museum of the American Indian To support cultural education concerning native peoples for Marin school children, and develop interdisciplinary curricula involving the arts and natural resources. $10,000
Marin Shakespeare Company To support "Play Power" In-schools Drama Programs in K - 8 public schools. $30,000
MarinMOCA To support MarinMOCA Summer Arts Program. $15,000
New Century Chamber Orchestra To support music education programming in Marin public elementary schools. $15,000
Performing Arts Workshop To support artist residencies in underserved Marin public schools and communty locations. $7,500
Performing Arts Workshop To support Artists-in-Schools Program. $10,000
Performing Stars of Marin To provide arts opportunities and community-based arts activities for low-income youth. $30,000
Performing Stars of Marin To provide arts opportunities and community-based arts activities for low-income youth. $30,000
Performing Stars of Marin To provide arts opportunities for low-income youth and community-based arts activities. $50,000
Performing Stars of Marin To support arts education outreach activities and programs for low-income and underserved youth in Marin County. $30,000
SingersMarin To support the choral program for diverse elementary school students. $10,000
Small Press Distribution, Inc. To support literary arts education and experiences for young adults in community settings. $10,000
The Z Space Studio/Word for Word Performing Arts Company To provide theatre arts education programs in underserved elementary schools in Marin County. $15,000
Young Imaginations mulitcultural music and dance in Marin public schools $40,000
Young Imaginations To support multiculutural music and dance education in Marin public schools. $40,000
Young Imaginations To support Project 20 to provide music and dance education in underserved Marin public schools. $25,000
Young Imaginations To support Project 20. $35,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support Artists in Schools. $30,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support arts education programming for youth with learning challenges in Marin public schools. $15,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support dance education in Marin public schools. $15,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support residencies by teaching artists in Marin public schools and provide other arts education related programs and activities. $50,000
Youth in Arts, Inc. To support teaching artists in Marin public schools and provide other arts education related programs and activities. $50,000
Total Grants Strategy 2: $869,500.00
Total Arts Education Grants: $3,537,825.00