Our goal at Starting Arts is to offer professional arts instruction, both during the school day and after school, to every child in all of the San Francisco Bay Area communities.

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. Class instruction is provided in Dance, Visual Arts, Music and Theatre for single or combined grades, K-12.  Typically, class is in session twice a week for 9 weeks.  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.

Before School Programs

Before school programs offer classes in choir and band. 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.

Preschool Programs

Starting Arts offers introductory classes for preschool age students to explore movement, music, and visual arts.  We are very careful to create a curriculum that is tailor made for preschool age children so that their introduction to the arts is a great experience.  Parents are welcome to learn along side their little ones!

Summer Programs

Starting Arts offers three different summer camps for children who are interested in taking their arts experience to the next level:

1.       Musical Theatre Production: Each summer, we mount a musical for all students in grades 3-12. This is a four week camp that runs from 9:00am-2:00pm and culminates in professionally produced performances at Santa Clara High School’s Performing Arts Center. Past productions include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Wizard of Oz and Oliver. Summer 2010 we will be doing The Music Man.

2.       Junior Arts Camp: This camp is geared for children in grades K-3 and runs for two weeks from 9:00am-12:00. Students experience all four arts disciplines (dance, theatre, music and visual arts) with an informal performance on the last day of camp.

3.       Film Camp: Starting Arts partners with Dawnrunner Productions to provide a one of a kind film experience for students in grades 6-12. Students learn how to work both in front and behind the camera on a professional film set. The past two summers, students have created  two short films; Singularity and Fortunes Mine. Both have received critical acclaim at the San Diego and Los Angeles International Film Festivals. Summer 2010 we will be  producing our first feature length film.