Just a few weeks ago, 350 Art in Action

supporters celebrated the importance of
arts education at our Soirée at Sunset event. In addition to hearing the wonderful artist Faith Ringgold (who is featured in our 5th grade program), we raised significant funds toward bringing our program to more schools, in more places where art programs are needed most.  It was a great boost for our organization. This event and the 178 schools who embrace the Art in Action program (including over 50 new schools this year) mean that we are successfully fulfilling our mission.

On a national scale, however, so much more is needed. Over four million students across the country have no access to visual arts in their schools. Millions more have only cursory access. A survey conducted last year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals found that nearly half of the schools in their survey had made cuts in music and arts programs. This seems like an enormous step in the wrong direction considering the current focus from industry and education on fostering creativity for a future workforce. And this isn't helped by the fact that government programs supporting arts and arts education are under constant attack, even when they represent the tiniest fraction of per capita spending.

There was a time, though, when the importance of visual arts was not only celebrated in America, it was necessary for our very economic survival.  Read more

American River Charter School, Georgeton, CA

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Middle School, San Francisco, CA 

Empire Gardens, San Jose, CA

Las Animas, Gilroy, CA

Montalvin Elementary, San Pablo, CA

Renowned artist Mitchell Johnson will donate 10% of the proceeds of his artwork sales to support Art in Action through the end of March.

The Studio Shop in Burlingame, CA will donate 10% of all art or framing purchases to Art in Action until April 30, 2014. Just mention Art in Action! 

We have a few pieces of artwork by talented local artists. Browse the offerings and place your bid! We also have a few more spots left on these exciting tours and classes:

iPad Art Class - March 26th 10:00am-12:00pm - Register now

Mission Murals Walking Tour - April 12th 10:30am-12:30pm - Register now

Private Tour of Bryant Street Studios - 

Progressive Cocktails - May 9th 5:30-7:30pm - Register now

Progressive Brunch - May 10th  11:00am-1:30pm - Register now

Ohio PTA Conference, Columbus, OH, April 25-27 

Washington PTA Conference, Bellevue, WA, April 25-27

California PTA Conference, Los Angeles, CA, May 5-10 

4th Annual Superintendent's Rally For The Arts, Fresno, CA, March 25

Join us for a Friends of Art in Action tour:

On Saturday, June 21 we will provide a private docent led tour of Intimate Impressionism at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco. Learn about Impressionist and Post-Impressionist landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, interiors, and portraits, from the collections of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Tour is limited to 20 participants, so sign up early!