Our Arts Education Director, Sarah Brothers, is part of a team that recently negotiated a three-year, $1.8 million contract with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) to support arts education for more than 18,000 youth. In this post Sarah shares how this will show up in the community and why it matters.

You’ve worked with PVUSD for over a decade. What’s shifted over the years?

PVUSD’s in-school arts education has changed drastically. They went from having from .02 arts educators to over 60, which means that every student now has a visual arts or music teacher, and in some cases both. This is a direct result of shared advocacy and planning efforts.

What, specifically, will the contract make possible?

During Summer School, it supports 42 performances over four weeks. Performers like Tandy Beal and Co. bring professional artists from all over the Bay Area to bring circus, dance, and music. The contract supports 48 performances across PVUSD after school during the school year. For the first time, we’ll be able to hire Mariposa Arts student teachers for Summer School programming. This will help with retention as they won’t have to get other jobs during the summer. Mariposa Arts student teachers will continue to be mentored by professional teaching artists and develop their arts skills. We’ll continue to present free weekly community-based dance, theater, and visual arts classes at the Watsonville Center for the Arts. Finally, we’ll be able to hire staff to support Arts Council Santa Cruz County and the District to manage the many contracts related to this work.

What’s important about this new contract?

We’ve worked with Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Extended Learning team for over a decade and with the district for more than 30 years. This contract is a visible demonstration of our shared commitment to arts education. We’ve scaled our programming significantly, and the agreement ensures sustainability for at least the next three years. With a teaching artist shortage, this funding allows for increased pay and guarantees ongoing work for them. Most importantly, it will expose many kids to the arts through residencies, performances, and Mariposa Arts. We’ll be able to engage students at a deeper level.

What do you imagine will be different three years from now due to this contract?

Tens of thousands of youth will have regular access to high-quality, consistent arts education and arts experiences. I hope there’s a deeper connection and understanding of the impact of the arts on youth development and community connection. The arts are integral to school culture, parents are aware of what their kids are learning, and kids look forward to and discuss the performances. The community will be more aware of the wealth of arts activities and experiences happening throughout the district and community.

You are so good at identifying community gaps in opportunity and collaborations that benefit students and the school system. What drives your passion for this work?

Knowing that I get to support arts education in a way that ensures that kids have access to learning in and through the arts. They can have fun, be engaged, and be joyful at school. I'm also dedicated to making sure teaching artists in our community can be sustained in their important work.

Why are after-school and summer programs important?

Many of the kids who participate in after-school and summer school, their parents are working and can’t afford paid after-school classes. Kids need something to do during these hours, and these programs - held at the schools - help them gain a sense of belonging, be in a safe supportive environment, and have fun.

What's next in terms of student needs - where should arts advocates attention and energy be over this next year?

With the passing of Proposition 28, which funds school-based arts and music education that’s estimated to bring an annual $900 million across California PK-12 public schools, creating pathways for teaching artists is critical. There’s already a teaching artists shortage, and now and in the coming years we need to promote teaching as a viable career for artists, to create programs that build pathways, and create initiatives for artists who have been teaching for years to get the credentials needed to be eligible to fill this growing gap.