Mariposa Arts after-school programs bring visual art, music, dance, and theatre to more than 3,000 students in schools that have little or no funding for the arts during the regular school day.

An intergenerational model, in Mariposa Arts high school students and teaching artists work together to co-teach lessons to elementary and middle school students. High school student teachers discover their creative gifts through training that steeps them in the arts and supports development of powerful life skills such as public speaking, planning, and classroom management. Mentored by professional artists, they become leaders, mentors, and role models and, for many, their resume starts with their Mariposa Arts job.

This program is so impactful that Pajaro Valley Unified School District uses Mariposa Arts as a model for its after-school program curriculum in subjects like science and physical education. Click the link below to hear from one high school student about their experience.