The Arts

Welcome to the Westlake Arts Program

Celebrating 28 years of Arts Excellence

Westlake’s parent Arts Committee is dedicated to supporting the visual and performing arts at Westlake Elementary School. We are proud that Westlake Elementary School is the recipient of the California Department of Education's 2016 Exemplary Art Education Program Award.

The Arts Committee celebrates 28 years of collaboration between parents and faculty collaborating together to ensure a well-rounded program of arts is available to our students.

Westlake Elementary arts education is supported by Parcel Tax P & J (for K-5 visual art, 3-5 music, and after school band program), and the PTA and Westlake Families support K-5 dance, K-2 music, art materials, art assemblies, art coordinator, Family Arts Night, etc. Westlake Art Program is recognized by the California State Visual and Performing Arts Standards, as part of the comprehensive core curriculum. The Arts Committee strives to augment the district's arts program to include K-2 music and K-5 dance instruction as well.

We are lucky to have our own faculty in Visual Art, Music, Dance/Movement. Read more about Westlake Art programs that are funded by the Westlake PTA and supported by the Art Committee

Parents

Art Parents along with the Art Committee enrich our children's artistic experience with supplemental programs and events. See the Art Committee Meeting Schedule below.

Programs

Music Programs for K-2nd grade
Dance and movement programs (Folk, African, Capoeira, Hip Hop)
Art materials (including paints, paper, brushes, clay)
Special arts assemblies
Virtual Talent Show
5th Grade Culminating Mural Project
On-site part time arts coordinator

Events

See Westlake Student Art at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's 2022 Sea Stars Gala

Westlake Art Program by Grade

GRADE	Programs
TK/Kindergarten	½ year Visual Art; 14 weeks Creative Movement, Fall 2022; 14 weeks General Music, Spring 2023
1st	½ year Visual Art; 14 weeks Creative Movement, Fall 2022; 14 weeks General Music, Spring 2023
2nd	Full year of Visual Art; 14 weeks Creative Movement, Fall 2022; 14 weeks General Music, Spring 2023
3rd	Full year Visual Art, ½ year General Music; 14 weeks Capoeira
4th	Full year of Visual Art, full year of General Music; optional after school band; 14 weeks Hip Hop
5th	Full year of Visual Art, full year of General Music; optional after school band; 14 weeks Hip Hop Dance; Special 5th Grade Culminating Art Project

2022/2023 Art Program

How you can get involved:

Share your great ideas at the Arts Committee meetings
Become a Classroom Art Parent (see below for description)
Help chair an art event
Supporting arts related activities
Donate art supplies
Keep an eye out for art supply wish lists!

Contact:
Suzie Blackburn | Site Art Coordinator

Karina Scarborough & Divya Sharma | Art Co-Chairs

2022-2023 Art Committee Meetings

All meetings will take place at the lunch tables on the upper playground.

Mon. Sept. 12, 2022; 3:00PM
Mon. Oct. 3, 2022; 3:00PM
Mon. Nov. 14, 2022; 3:00PM
Fri. Jan. 13, 2023; 1:30PM
Mon. Feb. 6, 2023; 3:00PM
Mon. March 6, 2023; 3:00PM
Mon. April 17, 2023; 3:00PM
Mon. May 15, 2023: 3:00PM

Classroom Art Volunteer Role Descriptions

Assist with teacher-led art projects if needed (outside of art class with Julie Nolte)
Highlight and support kids to enter the Reflections Art Contest, which is held in October
Organized class Auction Artwork (Art Parent Coordinator will provide guidance and deadlines)
Recommended to attend Arts Committee Meeting once a month.
Time: Approximately 1-2 hours a week focused mainly Jan-Mar in production of Class Auction Art

If you have questions about any of these roles or want to volunteer for your child's class we welcome your questions! Email the Art Co-Chairs Karina Scarborough and Divya Sharma, or ask your child's teacher.