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  1. Academic Programs
  2. Curriculum
  3. Visual and Performing Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Overview

In the Glendale Unified School District, we believe that Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) education is essential to inspiring creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in every student. Our Visual and Performing Arts programs serve students from TK-12, offering a vibrant and diverse array of opportunities to express themselves through five core artistic mediums:

In our Secondary Schools, students can engage in specialized VAPA programs that allow them to dive deep into their passions. Many of these programs also double as Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, offering valuable skills for those interested in pursuing careers in the arts.

Our department partners with many community organizations, bringing real-world arts experiences to our students and expanding their horizons. We are also immensely proud of our award-winning students and performing groups, whose talents have earned recognition at the local and regional levels. Explore the possibilities with GUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts programs today!

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." — Pablo Picasso

 

 

 

 

5 artistic mediums

The Arts in Glendale Unified Elementary Schools

  • 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.

     

Proposition 28 Annual Report

Proposition 28 establishes a funding guarantee for arts education in California's PK-12 public and charter schools. It ensures a minimum annual funding source to support and enhance arts programs.Click here to view GUSD’s Prop 28 Annual Report