Dreams & Aspirations Take Shape: Fall 2026 Programs Kickoff
We revealed the Fall session theme at our Fall 2026 All-Team Retreat, and we are excited to see how Dreams & Aspirations will show up in the projects ARTS youth will work on this season.
Our theme came directly from students in our Community ARTS program and encourages youth to learn about themselves and their own goals and dreams, imagine and share future possibilities with their peers, and activate a powerful practice to visualize their futures, building confidence as well as the ability to influence their own learning. We are happy to announce that ARTS on Campus is back at the National School District! Our after-school arts program resumed this week for students in grades 2-6.
We are also excited to host the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) LEAD Academy here at the ARTS Center during Fall Break, as well as the opportunity to bring ARTS on Campus to the following elementary schools: Castle Park, Harborside, Montgomery, and Vista Square.
Legacy project work has recommenced at Bayfront Charter High School, and this session we’re excited to introduce the Artist Leaders Program. Students interested in spending extra time painting will receive a stipend and one-on-one guidance from ARTS Teaching Artist Kelsey Kenny and Program Coordinator David Peña.
“It’s exciting to already have students from different grade levels signing up for the Artist Leaders Program. They’re not only getting the chance to build their leadership skills and earn service hours, but also to make their mark on their school in a really meaningful way. I love that the work they create together will become part of Bayfront and something future students can experience and enjoy.”
Community ARTS has had a busy summer and will continue to be through the rest of the fall session! We celebrated our 5th annual Summer Jam at the ARTS Center on September 5th, welcoming 62 youth attendees and their families and friends. These events would not be as successful without the support of our team, including staff, teaching artists, program assistants, and community partners like the South Bay Youth Center and Southwestern College.
This summer, we were excited about the special Fabrication Internship at 37ECB, which brought together ARTS @ Work and ARTS 4 Justice, creating post-secondary pathways for the young people in our programs. We will continue to update you as the second phase of that student-led community project wraps up in late fall. In the meantime, ARTS 4 Justice fall programs in the South and Metro region are starting this month!
As we envision what the future can look like together, we also want to thank our school partners for helping us engage young people's creativity, encourage their creative agency, and support them as they develop their own unique voice.
