Arts Coordinators

Arts Coordinators (also known as District Arts Leads) are one of five vital components of district-level infrastructure that ensures equitable, sustainable arts education. The arts coordinator provides pivotal leadership to drive implementation of the arts education policy and plan, and gives the arts a voice at the district level. Arts for All supports arts coordinators in a number of ways.  

Professional development

In 2011 Arts for All launched the Arts for All District VAPA Coordinator/Lead Professional Development Grant Program. The program provides a limited number of grants of up to $1,000 for Arts for All school district VAPA Coordinators/Leads to attend arts education-related professional development.  Eligible uses of grant funds include tuition or registration fees for workshops, conferences and trainings within the United States and travel expenses associated with attending such opportunities. While the application deadline for 2011-12 has passed, the full application guidelines and grant proposal form are posted for reference.

Arts coordinators from Arts for All districts can also build their capacity and broaden their impact as instructional leaders through free professional development sessions provided jointly by the LA County Arts Commission and Office of Education.  All Arts Coordinators/District Art Leads from school districts in Los Angeles County are welcome to attend.  The meeting schedule and locations for 2011-12 are:

January 13, 2012, 9:00 am - 1 pm
LA County Office of Education  
Topic: Spokespersons training.

April 27, 2012, 9:00 am - 1 pm
LA County Office of Education. 
Topic: School finance and grant writing.

June 11, 2012, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
LA County Arts Commission
Topic: Arts for All District VAPA Coordinator/Lead Professional Development Grant Program report-out.

Arts Coordinators seeking to strengthen arts learning communities within their school districts are invited to use Designing the Arts Learning Community: a Handbook for K-12 Professional Development Planners.  This interactive a guide to designing arts education professional development includes a searchable database of more than 50 arts learning communities.

Communications

The LA County Arts Commission and Office of Education issues a monthly newsletter for Arts Coordinators/District Arts Leads across the County.  The newsletter includes information on upcoming events, grant opportunities and professional development sessions.  To subscribe to the newsletter, please contact Talia Gibas, Manager, Arts for All.

Artists in the classroom

Arts coordinators in Arts for All school districts seeking to bring artists into their classrooms are eligible to apply for the Arts for All Residency Grant Program.  The program provides matching funds to hire artists and arts organizations from the searchable directory Programs for Students to provide residencies designed to help realize goals set forth in school districts’ arts education plans.  Contact Talia Gibas, Manager, Arts for All, for more details.

Tools and Resources

Arts coordinators seeking local and national resources on arts education are encouraged to use Arts for All’s online searchable databases.

More information for arts coordinators on Arts for All’s services is available from Talia Gibas, Manager, Arts for All, by email or at (213) 202-5858.