In 1937, Guernica by Pablo Picasso was exhibited for the first time at the Paris International Exhibition. The painting, which was Picasso's response to the violence caused by the Spanish Civil War, had its most famous showing as a tapestry reproduction that graced the entrance to the United Nations Security Council room. Perhaps this was a none-too-subtle reminder of the gravity of the work that was done there. As unrest continues around the world - in places like Syria, Egypt, Sudan, and others too numerous to mention - Guernica serves as a good reminder of the power of the artist to reflect, comment on, and sometimes even influence the world around the them.

From the earliest Paleolithic cave paintings, which could sometimes read as how-to manuals for hunting (and cautionary tales of animals to avoid), to today's political artists like Banksy, the artist has always been at the center of storytelling with a purpose.  After World War I, Otto Dix and other German Expressionists also recounted the toll of war and corruption in a dramatic confrontational style. In the 1930s, Dorothea Lange's strikingly composed and in-your-face photographs of migrant farmworker camps put a human face on the toll of the Depression. The publishing of those photographs led to government programs to help those people in need. In the 1980's, Keith Haring's pop-art graffiti brought attention to the growing plight of the AIDS epidemic and his notoriety led to the establishment of a number of AIDS charities.

Society needs artists who can help us see ourselves, remind us of those who are marginalized and chronicle crisis and conflict, so that history isn't always destined to repeat itself. Programs like Art in Action are working to develop generations of students who understand the power of art and artists to help better their communities and their world. Through robust discussions during our lessons about the impact of artists like Picasso, Lange and many others, and the integration of these lessons with various subject areas like history, social studies, and language arts, Art in Action students are armed with an appreciation for the artist as storyteller and learn how to use art to communicate and give power to their own ideas.

We believe that art can change the world.  I hope you'll consider helping us bring this message to many more students through your support of Art in Action.  Your contributions go directly toward delivering our program to new classrooms of eager students, ready to participate in society through art. Please donate today.

Jeffrey Dollinger, Executive Director  

Rocketship Education is a network of public elementary charter schools serving primarily low-income students in neighborhoods where access to excellent schools is limited.  They believe that truly transformative schools do more than educate students; they empower teachers, engage parents and inspire communities.

The Rocketship schools that will be joining AiA this fall are:

• Rocketship Brilliant Minds, San Jose, CA
• Rocketship Los Suenos, San Jose, CA
• Rocketship Mateo Sheedy, San Jose, CA
• Rocketship Southside Community Prep, Milwaukee, WI

Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage: Sat., Aug. 3, 2013 at 10:45 am at the San Jose Museum of Art. Register now

Impressionists on the Water: Sun., Sept. 

 22, 2013 at  8:45 am ( before the museum is

open to the public) at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. Register now

David Hockney: A Bigger Exhibition: Sat.,   
Nov. 9, 2013 at 8:45 am at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Register now

Art in Action is excited and proud to be a finalist in Red Tricycle's 2013 Totally Awesome Awards, in the category of  "Most Awesome Art Classes for Kids." Every vote counts - we need your support!

Help show your love for AiA by casting your VOTE NOW. Voting is only open through August 15th, so please vote right away. Help us spread the word to your family and friends on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites!

Wow!  424 ARTboxes and other art materials flew out our door during May and June.  While many schools picked up their orders, we shipped the rest across the region and the country. Twenty-seven dedicated volunteers worked 264 hours in those two months to help us pack art materials.  One Brick, a nonprofit that helps other nonprofits, came both months, as did several other volunteers. 

Companies such as Yahoo!, Genentech, Electronic Arts, and others have volunteered with us to build community. If your company would like to schedule a team building/packing day at Art in Action, please contact lisa@artinaction.org.

If you are an Art in Action School, the Fall Training Schedule is available online now.   

At these training classes you will: 

-Learn how to teach critical thinking through art discussions

-Learn tricks and tips for each lesson

-Receive hands-on practice using the lesson-specific art materials

-Explore how to best utilize online training and support

-Build your art community with colleagues and new friends  

New - Train via Webinar

Can't attend training at our Art in Action offices? Try our new webinar training.  An Art in Action trainer will review all 12 lessons in a program level, share tips and best practices, show links to resources and answer questions. Register here