The California Arts Council (CAC) has promoted arts education since 1976 through its support of in-school arts programs that engage community arts resources, such as highly skilled artists and professional arts organizations.

The intent of the program is to integrate community arts resources—artists and professional art organizations—into a comprehensive, standards-based program that underscores the critical role that the arts play in shaping a student’s overall well-being and academic achievement. It is not the intent of this program to supplant teachers or arts programs, but rather to augment and integrate community arts resources into a comprehensive, standards-based arts program K-12.

Residencies should enable students to understand specific art forms and to develop their creativity through in-school or after-school programs. All projects should consist of hands-on participation and must include the California Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards of Aesthetic Perception, Creative Expression, Historical/Cultural Context, Aesthetic Valuing and Connections. (For more information about the Standards refer to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/vp/). Each residency must be locally designed and developed in partnership between an arts organization and school(s). All residencies require matching funds.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
• To develop partnerships between schools and local arts organizations
• To use existing community arts resources
• To maximize available funding sources for the arts
• To develop the artistic abilities and creativity of students
• To serve diverse school communities throughout the state
• To promote learning and problem-solving through the arts
• To expand professional artists’ participation in society