art4schools
CSMA's award-winning in-school Art4Schools curriculum develops hands-on technical skills and an understanding of the language of art while also teaching art appreciation and cultural understanding of art and its history.
CSMA's professional art teachers guide and encourage learning and creative expression through sequential lessons in drawing, painting, sculpting and more. All art classes teach a concept such as line, shape, color, and develop basic technical skills. Lessons are often inspired by a cultural or historical context that encourages students to explore new worlds and view life from other perspectives. Art lessons also coordinate with students' classroom curriculum to become an integral, enriching part of each child’s education.
All CSMA lessons meet the CA State Standards for Visual Arts and emphasize:
- Creative expression and decision-making
- Art appreciation and cultural understanding of art origins/history
- Developing technical skills
- Understanding language of art (line, shape, pattern, balance, etc.)
In addition to developing individual creativity, skills learned through art education improve development in other subjects, build self-esteem and develop cultural curiosity, critical thinking and creativity. For more information about how art education benefits students' social development and academic achievement, download our brochure, "Why Music and Arts Education?".
As your arts education provider, CSMA offers:
- Sequential, skills-building art education taught by professional art instructors
- Program administration, including hiring, training and teacher scheduling
- Adapting programs to support grade- level curriculum and align with state standards
- Partnerships with schools on scheduling and evaluation
- Teacher and student materials and supplies
- Art exhibit opportunities
End-of-the-year student art exhibits present more than 15,000 pieces of art created by every child in the program and let students experience the joy of sharing their artistry with family and friends. Community shows throughout the year exhibit student work at local libraries, businesses, school district offices and other venues.
CSMA's arts-in-the-schools programs are offered on a contractual basis and are often made possible through the collaboration of school districts, individual schools, parent organizations, and community and government resources. Programs may also receive support from CSMA donors and sponsors depending on available funding, need and circumstances. Fees are tailored to schools' schedule and budget needs based upon number and length of classes and duration of program.
CSMA's Art4Schools program is made possible in part by a grant from Target.