The Four Pillars of Artistic Literacy

Our curriculum is built upon four artistic processes. These aren't just steps in a lesson; they are the framework that elevates GUSD VAPA, transforming the arts from a "special activity" into a rigorous cognitive discipline.

1. Creating: Students don't just follow instructions; they learn to conceive and develop new artistic ideas. By learning the "why" behind the "how," they gain the agency to express their unique voices.
2. Performing / Producing / Presenting: Whether it’s a stage performance, a digital film, or a gallery showing, students learn the discipline of sharing their work with others. This builds the confidence and technical mastery required to bring a vision to life.
3. Responding: We teach students to perceive and analyze artistic work critically. By learning to interpret intent and evaluate quality, they develop a sophisticated "visual and auditory literacy" that applies to every aspect of the modern world.
4. Connecting: This is where the arts meet the psyche. Students relate their artistic ideas to their own personal experiences and to the broader societal, cultural, and historical context. This process ensures our students see themselves in the discipline they study and understand their place in a global community.

To further enhance arts education in our elementary schools, a dedicated team of GUSD teachers has developed a set of "Arts I Can Statements." These statements are a clear and concise distillation of the rigorous California Arts Standards, making them accessible and actionable for both educators and students.

Supporting the implementation of these statements are our Arts Learning Leaders (ALLs). ALLs inspire a creative and inclusive community where every child can explore and enjoy the arts. Their mission is to support elementary grade-level teams in integrating the Glendale Unified Arts "I Can Statements" into their classrooms, ensuring every student has equal access to the California Arts Standards. Through collaborative coaching and guidance, ALLs work to foster a dynamic, arts-integrated learning environment where all students are empowered to express themselves, explore creative possibilities, and grow as individuals.

Purpose of the "Arts I Can Statements":

The primary purpose of these "Arts I Can Statements" is to intentionally integrate arts activities into the core curriculum. This means that teachers, supported by the ALLs, will utilize these statements to weave artistic exploration and expression directly into subjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies. By doing so, we aim to:

• Deepen Learning: Provide multiple pathways for students to understand and demonstrate their knowledge across all subjects.
• Boost Engagement: Make learning more dynamic, interactive, and enjoyable for elementary students.
• Foster Creativity: Nurture students' imaginative thinking and innovative problem-solving abilities.
• Ensure Comprehensive Arts Education: Systematically address the California Arts Standards within the regular school day.

Through the intentional integration of arts activities guided by these "Arts I Can Statements" and the dedicated support of our Arts Learning Leaders, GUSD is committed to providing a rich, vibrant, and comprehensive educational experience for every elementary student.

Welcome to Glendale Unified’s TK–6 VAPA Framework—the roadmap where crayons meet curtain calls and curiosity gets a rehearsal schedule. Think of this as your family’s guide to how arts learning actually happens in our classrooms: what students make, how they perform, why they reflect, and where those creative habits show up in the real world. 

Built on California’s VAPA standards, aligned with CTE Arts, Media & Entertainment skills, and designed with Universal Design for Learning, this framework ensures every child can join the creative conversation—by moving, making, listening, imaging, editing, and performing in ways that fit them best. Our itinerant, credentialed arts teachers partner with each school to complement what’s already strong and expand what’s possible. The result? Students who don’t just “do art,” but grow into nimble thinkers and collaborators—ready for the next project, the next grade, and the next stage. Click here for more information...

Glendale Unified’s Five-Year VAPA Strategic Plan has guided our district’s vision for arts learning with a focus on equity, access, and high-quality instruction in every discipline. As we enter the fifth and final year of this plan, a new revision committee—made up of teachers, administrators, and community partners—has begun the work of updating and strengthening the roadmap for the next five years. Once a revised draft is complete, the district will open a public comment period to ensure our community’s voices help shape the final version. The current Strategic Plan can be found here.

Experience the incredible talent of our student artists and performers by exploring the GUSD VAPA Calendar. From breathtaking gallery showcases to show-stopping stage performances, discover the upcoming events that bring the vibrant heart of our arts programs to life!