This newsletter includes:

• Sonoma County Resources and News
• General Resources and News

SONOMA COUNTY RESOURCES AND NEWS

Student Arts Spotlight

Student Arts Spotlight shares the good news of the arts making a difference in students’ lives in a monthly feature. The Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance is pleased to share summer camp joy from the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Summer Mariachi Program! Camps are held in Santa Rosa, Sonoma Valley, and Cloverdale. In Cloverdale, fifty-three students in gradse 3 and older participated in the 3-week music camp. For the first time ever, a Baile Folklórico camp was also offered for students in 5th grade and older. A final performance was held in at Cloverdale High School. Congratulations to all!

Learn about the Student Arts Spotlight and share your students’ accomplishments HERE, or browse the archive of past Spotlights HERE.

Did You Know…the Arts Are Required in California Education Code?

An education in the visual and performing arts is required by our state education code, the same as other areas of study! Visual art, music, theater, and dance are required areas of learning. There is a misunderstanding that the arts are enrichment or only for after school activities. The arts have state standards like other academic areas that were created to ensure the development of skills and understanding over the duration a child’s school career. Here is detailed information for grades 1-6 Cal Ed Code § 51210 and for grades 7-12 Cal Ed Code § 51220

What Is Prop 28? – A Fact Sheet to Share

Prop 28 will offer funding for supplemental arts education for TK-12 students. This ongoing funding, which is now legislation after passing the November ballot vote, is to be used for filling gaps in arts education, not to replace current programs. Make the most of this opportunity! Get the facts straight here with this one-pager! Read this June 23, 2023 FAQs from the CA Dept of Education.

Express Your Voice to Advocate for ALL students

Connie Schlelein, Co-Chair of Sonoma Valley’s arts education coalition, expresses the importance of the arts and creativity in student’s lives through a monthly column in the Sonoma Valley Sun. Learn more about Creative Bridges and find other ideas for using your voice!

Parent Ambassador Workshop – Learn How You Can Help Your School Have More Arts!

Parents! Interested in learning about the new funding for arts education that is heading to your school this year? Looking for a way to connect with other parents who support learning in the arts? Just want to learn what’s going on? The Arts Education Alliance will offer a bi-lingual, virtual meeting to provide information, answer questions, and hear from you . Don’t miss this school year kick off event! Monday, August 28 from 6:30-8:30. Register HERE

AEA Mixers Continue Into Next School Year

The AEA will kick off a new school year with a Mix and Mingle on Wednesday, August 9 , 2023 from 5:30pm-7:00pm at Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa. These networking events have proven valuable in connecting arts and creative thinkers to discuss and collaborate around arts education opportunities. Introductions are made to anyone new, so you are guaranteed to meet others. Find out what’s going on around Sonoma County! RSVP HERE!

General Resources and News

Introduction National Dance Education Organization is offering a virtual Professional Development Day for teachers on July 26, 2023. With 10+ live virtual sessions across session blocks, there’s something for everyone!

Visit the Creative Sonoma Arts Education page to learn more about arts education projects and opportunities in Sonoma County.