Arts Education
Expanding Arts Education in San Mateo County
Arts education plays a vital role in academic success, career development, and lifelong skills. Yet in San Mateo County, many secondary students, particularly those in under-resourced schools, have limited access to school-based arts courses.
The County Office is committed to addressing this inequity by supporting educators in creating relevant content, delivering high-quality instruction, and building sustainable arts programs. Proposition 28, which dedicates ongoing state funding for arts and music education, provides a crucial opportunity to expand access and strengthen comprehensive programs. With this investment, schools can enrich educational opportunities and ensure that all students, especially those historically underserved by school-based arts education, benefit from the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and prepare them for the future.
San Mateo County Creates Arts Leadership Council
The San Mateo County Creates (SMCC) is a new initiative to foster collaboration, share best practices, and support strategic arts education planning across the county. Its goals are to build community, support educational arts leadership and strategic arts planning, share best practices, organize county-wide events and collaborations, and provide updates, vision, and best practices for Prop 28/Arts Ed funding.
Proposition 28 Updates
Championing Arts Equity
The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE), with the support of Arts Coordinator Allison Gamlen, is dedicated to staff development in Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) in alignment with state mandates to meet student needs. We offer workshops, seminars, and more across schools, districts, and the county. Informally, we share resources and foster collaborations. Our focus on equitable access, strategic arts planning, and arts education funding ensures equitable, high-quality arts education from preschool to high school. Contact Allison Gamlen at agamlen@smcoe.org for support or more information.
Student Arts Opportunities
Upcoming Events
Arts Education Conference
September 30, 2026
The Arts Education Conference is a new opportunity for all TK-12 educators, administrators, and teaching artists to integrate the arts into their teaching. It is hosted by the San Mateo County Office of Education and coordinated by San Mateo County Creates Arts Council, which fosters collaboration, share best practices, and support strategic arts education planning across the county.
Use code "ARTSED" and save 25% off registration!
San Mateo County Creates Newsletter
This monthly newsletter features cultural and seasonal highlights, upcoming events, arts funding updates (including Proposition 28 guidance), classroom-ready resources, and spotlights on student work from across San Mateo County.
Student Voice Gallery
Resources
Arts Associations and Organizations
The California County Superintendents Statewide Arts Initiative promotes visual and performing arts as essential to 21st-century education, advocating high-quality arts education for all California students in dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. This publication celebrates progress in enhancing arts education across California's 58 county offices, showcasing impactful initiatives in public schools and highlighting statewide leadership, planning, curriculum, and professional development. County offices share diverse approaches to arts education, reflecting efforts to engage California’s diverse student populations. Access more information.