Goal:

To support efforts to provide standards-based arts education for all Marin students.

Overview:

Arts education proponents and advocates firmly believe that understanding and appreciating the arts and cultural experiences are vital components of every young person's education and development. Without meaningful 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.

For several decades, however, funding for arts education programs has been progressively marginalized, reduced, or eliminated. Even where resources exist, Marin's schools remain without a coordinated strategy to meet the arts needs of Marin's students in ways that utilize research findings and program practices developed regionally and nationally.

MCF believes the goal of arts education for every Marin student will require systemic change to reverse decades of marginalization. This change will only result from informed leadership among multiple stakeholders; professional development opportunities for school administrators and teachers; technical assistance and program evaluation to develop rigorous educational curricula and opportunities for high achievement in each arts discipline; investment of resources to develop and nurture programs where resources are currently lacking; and networking, communications, and advocacy to build a consensus around the need for, and methods to achieve, 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, in direct connections with community arts activities and organizations.

Under this goal, MCF will support projects that incorporate the following strategies:

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

Process for Strategy 1:
MCF has made block grants to the Larkspur and Sausalito/Marin City School Districts for the 2009-2010 school year. Arts education providers interested in working with those districts to implement the demonstration project should contact the relevant school district and speak to the District Arts Education Coordinator. MCF anticipates each district, working with MCF and its Arts Education Planning Team, will present a proposal for consideration for funding by the Foundation for the following school year.

Strategy 2: Grantmaking to arts education providers and arts organizations to develop innovative programs serving diverse Marin students.

Process for Strategy 2:
Schools across Marin face enormous challenges in providing arts education for their students. In addition, many students do not have equitable access to out-of-school arts education and enrichment opportunities. MCF will support the provision of arts education programs and activities in school districts other than those taking part in the demonstration project, as well as selected arts education program development efforts and the provision of out-of-school arts opportunities.

Applications will be submitted through MCF's Grant Application Center, which enables completion and submission of all application materials online. If your LOI is approved, you will be notified how to prepare and submit a full proposal, also using the Grant Application Center.

A logic model for this strategy has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area.

Proposals for funding in this area are currently under review.

A logic model for this strategy has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area.

Go to the Grant Application Center

A supporting organization is a separate nonprofit corporation that operates under MCF's status as a public charity. Through its own board, on which the donor(s) may choose to sit, a supporting organization can determine its own investment and grants priorities.