These students rarely if ever get to participate in arts and culture experiences. This was only possible because of arts funding the Symphony received from the state.”
– Bremerton Symphony Association
Bremerton Symphony Association
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ArtsWA works to strengthen K-12 arts education as part of, and fundamental to, basic education.
The State of Washington recognizes the arts as a core academic subject. This means that all young people should have arts instruction as part of their regular school day. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) identifies dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts as essential elements of a complete and balanced education. We closely align our Arts in Education (AIE) programs with OSPI’s work supporting the arts as part of a well-rounded education.
We work to help students, parents, teachers, principals, and the public to understand the value of arts in education. We support community partnerships between arts organizations, schools and districts, and local leaders. We support learning opportunities for K-12 students, teachers, teaching artists, and arts education leaders. Our grants and programs make arts education stronger for students across Washington State.
Why is Arts Education Important?
The arts help students learn in both traditional and non-traditional ways:
- The arts build interest and engagement in learning
- The arts develop skills like creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication
- The arts support students with different backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles
- The arts help young people express themselves and think about the world
- Arts educators play a role in supporting access, equity, and inclusion in schools
Our Programs
Our Collaborators
We are proud to have strong relationships with two important statewide partners:
- The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This is Washington’s state department of education. For more information about arts education in our public schools, visit the arts section of the OSPI website.
- ArtsEd Washington. This non-profit organization supports access to arts education for all students in Washington State.
Centerstage Theatre Arts Conservatory, Inc.
On behalf of all at Centerstage, we extend our appreciation for the state’s investment in our work.”
– Centerstage Theatre Arts Conservatory, Inc.
Davenport Theatrical
Rural audiences deserve the same access to the arts as those in big cities, and public arts funding is essential in working towards that goal.”
– Wheatland Theatre Company (formerly Davenport Theatre)
Project Support Grantee
Earshot Jazz Festival
It is because of your funding support that we are able to focus on issues of accessibility, diversity, and community in our programs.”
– Earshot Jazz Festival
Gallery One
Their stories and work translate into conversations that try to bridge the gap between military and civilian cultures. This dialog hopes to bring understanding of how war and trauma not only affect members of the military, but our society as a whole. Their mission is not to promote a particular belief but to pose questions about the many difficult and genuine concerns the American community possesses about current and past military engagements.”
– Gallery One
Key City Players Theater
ArtsWA funding has a great impact on the Olympic Peninsula, where there is no comparable theater to Key City Players Theater that serves a region of 60,000 people.”
– Key City Players Theater
Reel Grrls
This funding really makes a difference in our community because we are working to build a pipeline to diversify the creative industries…we must teach young people that empathy through storytelling is the most powerful tool they have to combat hate.”
– Reel Grrls
FY18 Project Support Grantee
Tacoma Concert Band
WSAC grants are a wonderful investment in people, helping to make the South Sound a vibrant, culturally dynamic community where people will want to live and raise a family.”
– Tacoma Concert Band
The Merc Playhouse Society
Part of the beauty and strength of community comes from celebrating all of its uniqueness that helps to create a meaningful world in which to live. Mid-Columbia Mastersingers feels it has a responsibility to represent our whole community and support celebration of diversity in the Tri-Cities…
Because of this grant, we were able to pay our musicians for their rehearsal time and performances…”
– The Merc Playhouse Society
Upper Valley Connection
…through this program individuals with special needs are able to experience theatre and learn to express themselves through performing and visual arts – an opportunity that does not exist elsewhere in eastern Washington…”
– Upper Valley Connection