About the Nonprofit
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Starting Arts was inspired by the simple observation that something special happens when young people connect with the arts. Arts education creates opportunities for students to develop key life skills and evolve into confident, articulate, team-conscious members of our communities. We believe that an education without arts exposure is incomplete and falls far short of extraordinary. That unwavering belief has translated into a mission: to make arts education accessible to all students throughout the Bay Area, with a special focus on students in Title 1 schools.
Starting Arts provides hands-on arts programming, both during and after school, in 4 disciplines (dance, music, theatre and visual arts). Classes are standards-based and taught by skilled professional artists eager to share their expert knowledge and passion with students.
Starting Arts, which began in 2000 at one elementary school in Santa Clara, has now served over 125 schools in the Bay Area. This growth has been facilitated by our ability to customize programs to meet the needs of each school and its community. We make quality arts instruction affordable and accessible by forging partnerships with schools, school districts, and arts organizations. Starting Arts assumes responsibility for organizing, scheduling and developing curricula at substantially reduced costs. Supporting this format of arts education is a low-cost, high-return investment for the entire community.