Arts Education Inspires Students

Scheduled for publication in Chinese in Sing Tao Daily on Sunday, March 30. 

It’s almost spring and it seems like art is everywhere you turn! New art exhibits come to San Francisco museums this time of year (check out Ruth Asawa: Retrospective soon!) and just as exciting is what’s happening in our schools. 

SFUSD students have the incredible opportunity to engage with art, from dance/music, and theatre to visual arts and digital media arts. In fact, March is Arts Education Month and it reminds us of the importance of arts education. SFUSD recognizes and celebrates the value of arts education in schools. Our vision is for all SFUSD students to graduate as independent thinkers with the academic and creative skills to lead productive lives and contribute to our community.

In recent weeks, there have been multiple musicals and plays around the district. To mention a few: The Presidio Middle School musical came back after six years! They performed Grease - School Version! (March 8-15). The Ruth Asawa School of the Arts presented Clue On Stage - High School Edition (March 6-15) and George Washington High School presented Queens (March 19-22), about King Henry VIII and his wives. George Washington High School also has dance concerts coming in April.

On the musical front, Viva El Mariachi hosted its 10th Anniversary Event on March 21! Student musicians wow the audience year after year. 

Artistic masterpieces such as mixed-media collages and digital prints will be on display at AccessSFUSD: The Arc Art Show from special education students in April. The community can buy art and then watch live performances, including dance routines. 

And so much more:

• Raoul Wallenberg High School is celebrating its Spring Arts Festival, Wallapalooza, on April 24.
• Minnesota Street Project Gallery is having an arts exhibition of high school student artwork from SF International, Mission High School, and Burton High School starting April 5.
• Skate, Rock, Roll, Read with the SFUSD Youth Arts Festival is on April 26.
• Student art work will be showcased at the San Francisco Main Public Library on April 26.
• A.P. Giannini is hosting its Art Festival on April 26.

There are so many ways to interact with art this spring, and it’s even better enjoying art with family or in the community. One of the most positive aspects about art is the conversations it can inspire. Find out about what your student thought of the play, the dance performance, the exhibit, or the poem that they read. Start a tradition of witnessing —or even making — art together. 

Dr. Maria Su is Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District.