SF ArtsEd is distinguished by its wide variety of arts experiences that ignite and educate the imagination. We believe that the investigation of the arts enriches the lives of young people as it promotes personal growth and a commitment to life long learning. Our programs include:
Artist-in-Residence: SF ArtsEd places mid-career, professional artists with teaching ability into public schools for full year workshops in choral music, dance, theater, and visual arts. In all workshops the primary focus is participation, enabling each child to learn the skills needed to articulate their own creative vision and to share their cultural and personal influences. SF ArtsEd programs naturally integrate skills development in language arts, social studies, critical thinking, and problem solving into the arts curricula. In 2005-06, a roster of 31 artists conducted over 4,000 hours of arts instruction in 24 San Francisco public elementary and middle schools.
After School Programs: The Glen Park After School Learning Club is a literacy and arts-based enrichment program conducted at Glen Park Elementary School. The program is a collaborative effort between the San Francisco ArtsEducation Project (SF ArtsEd) and Glen Park Elementary School. The program provides 120 students, ages 5-10, with a rich, integrated curriculum that focuses on improving literacy skills through participation in motivating arts-based projects and activities. The program targets low-performing students and provides them with alternative opportunities for success in a structured environment. The artists and lead teacher work together to ensure that all activities are
standards-based and that instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of the individual students. In addition to the literacy and arts components, portions
of the program are devoted to physical fitness, health education, and study skills development.
SF ArtsEd Players: An after-school and Saturday musical theater troupe for ages 9-15 continues to develop the skills taught in our theater, dance, and music in-school residencies. The company recruits its members primarily for students in the in school residences, the after school programs, and ArtSummer. The company works all year and performs both at the Eureka Theater in downtown San Francisco and at the school of the Arts Theater. The company has as apprentices for the technical aspects of the show high school students from the School of the Arts who build, light and stage manage all the shows for the players.
ARTSummer: In 1996, SF ArtsEd initiated an intensive arts day camp led by professional artists. Open to all students, the six week camp provides a bridge between our academic year program and the summer months for ages 6-14. ARTSummer includes an arts exploration camp for young children, two musical theater camps for youth, as well as visual arts and creative writing sessions for middle school students.
One-To-See: SF ArtsEd presents the visual work of our young artists in public venues to help make them part of the cultural dialogue and challenge the community to take their creative expressions seriously. Venues for One-To-See shows have included SFMOMA, Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco International Airport, Rena Bransten Gallery, and the historic Mills Building.
Teacher Training: During the school year and in the summer, SF Arts Ed offers assistantships to college and high school students to work with veteran artist teachers. SF Arts Ed also offers ongoing development workshops to its artists teachers to enrich and expand their work with children.