Arts Programs

Our goal at Starting Arts is to offer professional arts instruction, both during the school day and after school, to all children in Santa Clara County. 

As educators we understand that each school's culture is unique. Consequently we tailor every arts program to fit the needs of the individual school. To find out more about how Starting Arts programs can work at your school, please contact Starting Arts Executive Director, Ann Watts.

During School Programs

During school programs may include both integrated (art taught with another subject) and independent (art for art's sake) classes. Careful consideration is taken to design arts programs that support and enhance general education goals and incorporate the California State Visual and Performing Arts Standards. We offer several types of during school programs, including:

  • Visual and Performing "Rotating Arts Wheel" - This program provides concentrated educational instruction in each arts discipline on a rotating basis throughout the school year. Typically 9 weeks of biweekly class instruction is provided in Dance, Visual Arts, Music and Theatre for single or combined grades, K-12.
  • Weekly or biweekly single subject classes on a quarter, semester or yearly basis for single or combined grades, K-12.

Starting Arts can also provide professional staff development in all four arts disciplines for grades K-12, as well as "ready to teach" integrated lesson plans for grades K-5. Artists are available to facilitate individual school productions on a contractual basis as directors, choreographers, set designers, vocal directors, etc.

To find out if your school participates in the Starting Arts during school programs see Schools.

After School Programs

After school programs routinely offer independent arts classes in all four disciplines: Dance, Visual Arts, Music and Theatre. Starting Arts offers fall and spring sessions scheduled to coordinate with the school calendar year. Classes generally meet twice a week (a total of 2 - 2 1/2 hours per week) for 12 weeks, and conclude with a professionally produced performance/exhibition.

The following are brief descriptions of after school classes offered by Starting Arts. Enrollment is limited to 20-30 students; band and theatre classes may have up to 40 students. For detailed information about Starting Arts after school classes offered at a specific site, see Schools.

  • Junior Art - Explore art though a variety of mediums. Grades 1-2
  • Junior Dance - Intro to Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Grades 1-2
  • Junior Theatre - Intro to theatre and improvisation. Grades 1-2
  • Cartooning - Drawing, inking, and creating cartoon strips/comic books.
  • Cool Fibers - Explore art though a variety of mediums.
  • Murals - Instruction in painting and creation of a school mural.
  • Hip-Hop - Instruction in Hip-Hop and Jazz dance.
  • Swing Dance - Instruction in Swing and other social dances.
  • Playwriting - Instruction in idea development and script writing.
  • Theatre - Instruction in theatre and improvisation.
  • Musical Theatre - Instruction in dance, voice, and acting for musical theatre productions.
  • Band - Ensemble music instruction for brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.
  • Drumming and Percussion Music - Intro to African and Caribbean drumming.
  • Vocal Music - Learn group vocal techniques and a variety of songs.

Summer Camps

Starting Arts also offers a summer series of 2 week multi-discipline arts camps. Camps are held Monday through Friday for 4 hours either in the morning or afternoon. Each day campers rotate through Dance, Visual Arts, Music and Theatre activities, spending approximately 60 minutes in each area.

For more detailed information about Starting Arts Summer Camps, see Schools.