Iris Lin, 10th grade student at Silver Creek High School, tied for first place in the Student Voices Campaign last year with her video ‘the arts matter’. Her video was seen across her school district (and the state!) and was highlighted by her Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Jeannine Flores, at the Young Artist Showcase. Her principal recognized Iris from her video and engaged her in a conversation about arts education resources. Through their conversation, they came to realize that there was a disconnect between the values students placed on the arts and how administrators prioritized the school budget. It was clear that students and administrators needed to start a dialogue! The principal and vice-principal encouraged Iris to attend PTA meetings in order to continue communicating the needs of the student body. By attending the meetings, Iris will be able to continue the conversation about arts education with the school administration. Iris is taking the steps necessary to open clear lines of communication with her principal and PTA to support arts programs with school funding.

Kristin Reese, Executive Director of the Mono Arts Council, understood that in order to get the Strategic Arts Plan adopted and implemented, she would need to create a strong relationship with Mono County Superintendent, Dr. Stacey Adler and take a deep dive into the education community in her county. The Arts Plan was created in partnership with the Alliance and coach Peggy Burt with Superintendent Adler, with partner funding support by Sarah Anderberg, Director CCSESA Arts Initiative.  Having grown up in Mono County, Kristin had a head start at the relationships necessary to make her plan a reality. Her existing relationships were strengthened and new ones were established by her persistent communication and passionate commitment to the arts. She set up monthly meetings with Superintendent Adler to discuss the progress of the arts plan and organize the arts integration training that Kristin’s organization, Mono Arts Council, is helping implement. The members of Kristin’s community are aware that she is a partner on the journey to equitable arts access and when she commits to a project, she will be there every step of the way. Kristin takes the time to build the relationships necessary to support arts education in her district, and as a result of those relationships, she has amplified her impact.

Meghan O’Keefe, leader of the Amador Alliance for Arts Education, was looking for a way to gain visibility and inspire district leaders to take action in support of arts education, so she turned to the inspiring message of the Declaration of the Rights of All Students to Equity in Arts Learning. Meghan and her fellow advocates decided to use this document as a way to say, “We are here to help!” and provided the community with more information about the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), attended the LCAP meetings held by the district, and recommended the creation of a district strategic arts plan. Attending the school board meeting to offer support and resources, the Amador Alliance hoped to spark excitement and start conversations about how to bring arts to schools. The upbeat, collaborative and helpful approach of the Amador Alliance has proved to be highly successful and as a result of their work, the school board adopted the Declaration! Learn more about Meghan’s strategy here.

Lulu Briggs, senior at Amador High School, brings her student perspective to nonprofit board meetings, statewide advocacy summits and convenings, and her local school board meetings. By speaking about how the arts have impacted her life, Lulu effectively advocates for increased access to arts education for her fellow students. As a sophomore, Lulu became a student director at AmadorArts, where she represented a student perspective at board meetings. With the support and encouragement of Meghan O’Keefe, Executive Director of Amador Arts, Lulu also participated in competitions like the Student Voices Campaign and Poetry Out Loud. She wrote and directed the Amador High submission to the Student Voices Campaign, which placed third statewide and played a part in adopting The Declaration of the Rights of All Students to Equity in Arts Learning in the Amador County Unified School District. Her role as an arts advocate has helped Lulu realize the power of her own voice and empowered her to take on a leadership role in her school theatre program. Because of her impressive arts advocacy efforts, she was invited to speak on a panel entitled “Nothing About Us Without Us: Meaningful Student Leadership” at the Create CA Statewide Convening. Lulu’s high school experience has been shaped by her role as an arts education advocate and influenced her goals for the future. Originally setting her sights on becoming a theatrical performer, Lulu is now focused on directing theatre and participating in the fundraising, logistics and administration of theatre production.