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. This spring, Salmon Creek School’s middle schoolers performed “The Universe and Other Stuff – a Brief and Inaccurate History of Everything.” Almost 50 students participated in the theater production class, appearing as actors, dancers, designers, technicians and instrumental musicians. Congratulations, Harmony Union School District and Salmon Creek School!

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

Join the Conversation – “Artful Conversations!”

How Can the Arts Transform Us?

Have you ever wondered about the positive health influences (physical, emotional, mental, cognitive, spiritual, etc.) that all forms of art can have on us as human beings, in all aspects of life and development?  Are you curious about the deeper impact that art has on cultures, as well as the impact that cultures have on art?  Do you have a desire to explore scientific foundations and research on education through creativity and the Arts?  

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above, please join us for our premier Artful Conversation, focused on a foundational (and exciting) literary work called YOUR BRAIN ON ART: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.  We will use this literature as a stepping off point for future collaboration, dialogue, and experiences with and through the Arts. We hope you can join us for this adventure!

WHAT:     Artful Conversations – an exploration with YOUR BRAIN ON ART: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross

WHEN:    Tuesday, May 14 – 4:30-5:30 p.m.

HOW:      Read the book (or at least get started!) and RSVP for the Zoom link HERE.

                Highlights from the book will be provided in advance.

WHO:      Presented by the Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance (AEA) and facilitated by Dr. Brandon Krueger, AEA Steering Committee Member with guest Windsor TK Teacher, Aida Herrera-Keehn

Copies of YOUR BRAIN ON ART are available through the Sonoma County Library

Spanish interpretation available. 

First Ever Sonoma County Arts Educator of the Year Awarded to Jolene Johnson!

Also receiving Honorable Mentions: Efraín Nava, Elsie Allen HS; Kyle Thompson, Cesar Chavez ES, Yoshi Irene Makino, Geyserville New Tech Academy (not pictured Jessica Martin, West Side ES)

Meet Sonoma County’s Arts Educator of the Year, Jolene Johnson! As a dedicated dance teacher at Analy High School and Director of West County Dance Company, Jolene exemplifies excellence in arts education. Her remarkable leadership, unwavering commitment to equity, and tireless advocacy for the arts have left an indelible mark on our community and helped nurture new generations of artists. This award was presented by the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in partnership with Creative Sonoma and sponsored by Daniels Chapel of the Roses. The award celebrates Jolene’s outstanding contributions with an honorarium and a gift card for classroom supplies. Thank you, Jolene, for your dedication and vision in shaping the future of arts education in our community!

Meaningful Learning in Early Childhood Education – A Festive Thought Art Open House

A Festive Thought Art Open House was held at the Sonoma County Office of Education on April 4 to share an exhibition of visual art from early childhood teachers and students. Reflections were provided from the educators, who used art as a tool for communication and learning. For more information about this event, contact Ryan Kurada at rkurada@scoe.org

State Winner of Poetry Out Loud is Riley O’Hara from Sonoma Valley HS!

Congratulations to California Poetry Out Loud’s newest state champion, Riley O’Hara of Sonoma County! Riley won the competition held in Sacramento in mid-March. Luther Burbank and will travel to Washington, DC at the end of April to represent California at the Poetry Out Loud National Competition! Learn more about Poetry Out Loud HERE

Any Education Leader from a Sonoma County Arts Organization is welcome to join this virtual cohort. Discuss relevant topics, learn what strategies others are using, and find out what’s going on in the County. Next virtual meeting is May 15 at 1pm! Contact aworley@lutherburbankcenter.org for more information.

Ask for the Plan! Be A Champion for Your Student’s Arts Education

Parents and community members – join us to learn about how to raise awareness about the many benefits of the arts to students and make sure the new funding is being used to expand current arts education programming in your local schools. Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area, Arts for LA, CA PTA, and Friends of Sacramento Arts are joining together to help you take action to support the arts in your student’s school! PBS SoCal will also be present to share a new show and resources about the value of arts education in schools. Register HERE

May Meetup for Education Leaders from Arts Organizations

Any Education Leader from a Sonoma County Arts Organization is welcome to join this virtual cohort. Discuss relevant topics, learn what strategies others are using, and find out what’s going on in the County. Next virtual meeting is May 15 at 1pm! Contact aworley@lutherburbankcenter.org for more information.

General Resources and News

Review Prop 28 planning materials for schools – available through Create CA.

Listen to this EdSource podcast about how improve theater class helped kids heal from trauma.

Read Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation, written for educators and policymakers, offering asset-based model of what’s right with students and communities and an exploration for a different application of data.

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