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 the visual art program at Geyserville Elementary School for May 2022. Under the instruction of Barbara Adams, 1st and 2nd graders created spring art. The birds are inspired by Ukrainian folk art. Check out their Facebook page to see more examples of visual art in the Geyserville District. Congratulations!

Learn about the Student Arts Spotlight and share your students’ accomplishments HERE.

Countdown to State of Arts Education: Uplift, Inform, Connect!

Join in on this special event to celebrate and learn about examples of successful, high quality, engaging arts education programming and advocacy. The event is in-person and free at the Sonoma County Office of Education. The morning program includes presentations and performances by:

• Play Marimba!
• iAmplify
• Creative Bridges
• West County Dance Program
• Sonoma County Youth Poet Laureate
• Forum of County Superintendent Candidates
• Arts Education Framework Grant Information
• Portrait of a Graduate Breakout Session
• and MORE!

Learn more HERE. Deadline to register is May 20.

Sonoma County Student Wins Congressional Art Contest

Congratulations to Rachel Ding from Maria Carrillo HS in Santa Rosa on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition! Rachel’s work, “Happy Hour,” was selected as overall winner in this yearly contest. Rachel will receive free airfare out to Washington D.C. for a reception and to see her art hung in the U.S. Capitol where it will remain for the year. Held through the office of California U.S. Representative Mike Thompson, the contest celebrates student artwork from Lake, Solano, Sonoma, Napa, and Contra Costa counties.

Sonoma Community Center’s program “Building Community and Belonging Through Art” is making a difference for students at collaborating Creekside High School. This program exemplifies how partnerships among the community and arts teachers lead to successful models of engagement, inclusion, and identity. Read this Sonoma Index-Tribune article HERE to be inspired!

Become Student Voices Leader!

CreateCA Student Voices is looking for 9th-12th graders to participate during the next school year in a paid leadership program. The Student Voices Leaders program brings together students from across California to explore the impacts of activism. Find out more HERE.

GENERAL RESOURCES AND NEWS

How Music Primes the Brain for Learning

Research reveals how music affects students in ways that are unmatched by other pursuits. Learning music offers students a deep and powerful way to understand, process, and demonstrate learning. Be inspired by how music changes learning in this Edutopia article HERE.

Using Art to Help Students Find Their Calm

The integration of art activities can create a sense of safety and comfort. Drawing and creating art are powerful ways to help students express sensations, feelings, thoughts, strengths, and preferences. Read more about these practices in Edutopia HERE.

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