Santa Clara County Office of Education

The Santa Clara County Office of Education partners with public schools, arts organizations, and community members to support arts education. Its countywide initiative, Artspiration, is part of the agency’s science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) unit. It provides professional development, strategic planning assistance, data analysis, and curricular resources that promote equitable student access to the visual and performance arts. Each year, the initiative reaches 500 teachers in seven districts throughout Santa Clara County. Support for the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Artspiration program advances the Performing Arts Program’s Youth strategy through the Policy and Advocacy substrategy.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education’s countywide Artspiration initiative grew out of a comprehensive master planning process that was launched in 2010. Now under the County Office’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) unit, Artspiration provides teachers with arts education-specific professional development, strategic planning, resources, and materials. Each year it reaches 500 teachers in seven districts throughout Santa Clara County.

The countywide Artspiration initiative, from the Santa Clara County Office of Education, grew out of a comprehensive master planning process that was launched in 2010. Now under the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) unit within the County Office, Artspiration is continuing its work in teacher professional development, advocacy, and community engagement. Renewed support for the initiative will enable staff to refine Artspiration’s programs; enhance communication and online resources; and mobilize parents, educators, and students as arts education advocates for equitable access to the arts.