Santa
Barbara’s eclectic nature is influenced by its multicultural heritage,
commitment to sustainability, and promotion of the arts through the hosting of
events like the Santa Barbara Film Festival. Known for having California’s second-highest
number of nonprofits per capita, the city focuses on providing amenities that benefit
the local groups most in need.
Among
these groups, children are the focus of most of the community’s resources.
Along with programs designed to help them learn about civic involvement,
socialization, and safety, there are many organizations that focus on the
development of creative abilities through art programs, including the following
five groups.
1. Music Matters
A
program hosted by the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara, Music
Matters is an outreach initiative that teaches fourth through sixth graders
classical music appreciation. Beginning in 2003 at a local elementary school lacking
musical education opportunities, the program has continued to develop ever
since. Today, Music Matters leads classes for students at 13 schools in the
county.
The
central themes of the curriculum taught by Music Matters include music in
relation to the imagination, emotions, nationality, and creativity. In an age when
most popular music has electronic or synthesized elements, instructors help instill
an interest in classical music through techniques that improve listening
skills. Students are exposed to various music pieces, and are then asked
questions that require them to use emotional intelligence.
Education
professionals interested in bringing the Music Matters initiative to their
schools can do so through inquiry on the program’s website at www.camamusicmatters.org.
2. Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara
Viva
el Arte de Santa Barbara, a program presented by the University of California,
Santa Barbara, is focused on arts that are relevant to Latin American heritage.
In an effort to provide a diverse cultural education to 15,000 local children
and their families, Viva el Arte provides the community with free Latin music
and dance performances.
Along
with community presentations, the group also performs at local schools, hosts
weekend workshops, and offers music lessons. These experiences are an excellent
way for children to learn about cultural traditions and connect with family
members across multiple generations.
Run
by volunteers, Viva el Arte is a nonprofit organization funded by grants and
donations. To stay up to date with group performances and events, visit its
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VivaelArteSB.
3. ArtVentures at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Students
in the city can participate in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s ArtVentures, a
creative after-school program that hosts classes and workshops teaching basic
visual art techniques. Children learn skills such as drawing, painting, and
understanding color and composition, and projects within the curriculum connect
with current museum exhibits.
In
order to inspire confidence and build visual thinking skills in students,
ArtVentures instructors lead them on a visit to the museum, where they are able
to view and find inspiration in professional artwork. All classes and projects
are held in an offsite facility, the Ridley-Tree Education Center. Registration
for the museum’s camps, after-school program, and workshops can be found on the
official website, www.sbma.net/learn/kidsfamilies.
4. Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN)
The
Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) is a nonprofit organization that aims
to provide students in Santa Barbara County with a professionally taught, quality
arts education. The network focuses on providing these programs at schools and
centers within communities that are economically disadvantaged and the least
likely to have access to an education in the arts.
Programs
hosted by iCAN include subjects within music and the visual arts, and each year
they serve nearly 3,000 children at nine sites across the county. With a
teaching staff of 32 instructors, iCAN instructs children in art production,
perception, and reflection. Participants of the music programs initially learn
about choir and violin, and earn the ability to pursue a wind or brass
instrument once they reach the fifth grade.
Both
music and visual arts students also become involved with the community,
participating in exhibitions, art shows, and concerts, which give them the
opportunity to showcase their newly acquired artistic skills at various points
throughout the year.
5. Girls Rock Santa Barbara
Girls
Rock Santa Barbara provides girls and women in the city with a unique
opportunity to participate in music lessons, camps, and year-round programs
that help them learn about music performance. With subjects including
performance, production, photography, filmmaking, and journalism, most programs
are geared toward girls between the ages of 6 and 17, though programs for adult
women ages 18 and up also exist.
Opportunities
for girls include the program After School Rock Band, where students pursue one
of many instruments, form a band with other girls, and work together to compose
an original song. At the end of the 12-week program, all bands perform their
song at a community showcase. Students are not required to have any prior
musical knowledge and are provided with instruments by the Girls Rock Santa
Barbara organization.
The
mission of the program is to use music as a tool to inspire women and girls to
feel confident, challenge gender stereotypes, and make friends in a supportive
and safe environment.
