ArtsWA grantee photo by Isobel Coney
Our Work
Arts education is Washington State law!
RCW 28A.150.210 The law defines arts as a core subject area and it is included in the state’s definition of basic education.
RCW 28A.230.305 The law requires that all schools with more than 200 students offer at least one visual art or a least one performing art course throughout the school year and that students must have access to arts coursework “that is commensurate with instruction in other core subject arts.”
Increased access to arts learning serves students and communities
Enhances academic achievement
Social-emotional well-being
Civic engagement
Creates pathways to creative careers and leadership opportunities
Arts for All believes that arts education must be:
Accessible
Arts instruction as part of basic education for all students provided by a certificated teacher with content area expertise.
Continuous
Access to arts instruction throughout elementary, middle, and high school education.
Career Connected
Career connected learning helps students make connections between classroom learning, career exploration, creative industry, workforce development, and career pathways.
Culturally Responsive
Teaching that invites student knowledge, culture, language, and experiences into the classroom.
Mission
The A4A Coalition works for equitable access to arts education for all students across Washington State.
Vision
All Washington State PreK-12 students have access to culturally responsive, continuous arts education.
Values
Belonging, Creativity, Empowerment, Innovation
Leveraging a constellation of partners
The A4A Coalition is made up of statewide partners that work together to expand access for PreK-12 students.
Partners include
PreK-12 educators
Tribal educators
Non-profit leaders
Youth leaders
Teaching artists
Researchers
Arts education associations
Coalition History: 2019 – 2026
2019
OSPI, ArtsEd Washington, Inspire Washington, ArtsWA, and The Creative Advantage identify a need for a statewide focus on arts education, accessibility, and research.
2020
Partners draft a collective impact plan and explore funding sources.
2021
Early partnership named "Arts for All Coalition".
OSPI Arts program granted ESSER funding to support collect impact model.
Coalition expands to include a diversity of regional voices.
2022
Inspire WA awarded a 2022-2023 NEA collective impact grant.
WA Arts Education Data Dashboard begins construction with Quadrant Research.
2023
Inspire WA awarded a 2023-2024 NEA collective impact grant.
2024
ArtsWA submits a successful Legislative Budget Request for arts education research funding (one year only).
Inspire WA awarded a 2024-2025 NEA collective impact grant.
2025
A4A published governance charter
Inspire WA awarded a 2025-2026 NEA collective impact grant.
A4A completes State of the Arts Education Survey, data dashboard, and technical report.
2026
A4A publishes new website with data pages and resources.
