Overview
The mission of the Visual And Performing Arts Department (VAPA) is to provide equal access to quality standards-based arts instruction in all district schools in dance, music, theatre and visual arts by competent, qualified teachers.
Because the arts contribute to the total development of the individual and serve an important purpose in society, the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department is dedicated to:
- Expanding the role the arts play within our schools and lives.
- Creating and maintaining a network of community arts and cultural institutions that support all teachers and students in a standards-based arts curriculum
- Addresssing mutiple intelligences, creative thinking, cultural diversity and special needs.
Curriculum
The State defines a balanced, comprehensive arts program as one in which the arts are studied as discrete disciplines related to each other and, when appropriate, to other subject areas in the curriculum. Students in a comprehensive program are expected to master the content of an arts discipline as outlined in the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards 
or the Visual and Performing Arts Framework . Arts disciplines include dance, music, theater, and visual arts. For each of these disciplines, the standards are broken down by grade level and are further grouped by strands as follows:
Artistic Perception
Processing, analyzing, and responding to sensory information through language and skills unique to the discipline.
Creative Expression
Creation, performance and participation in the discipline.
Historical and Cultural Context
Understanding historical contributions and cultural dimensions of the discipline.
Aesthetic Valuing
Responding to, analyzing, and making judgments about works of art.
Connections, Relationships, Applications
Connecting and applying what is learned in the discipline to other art forms and subject areas and to careers.
General
- Visual and Performing Arts Framework for California Public Schools (K-12) ,
Provides a "blueprint" for implementing the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards. Outlines the knowledge and skills students should acquire in the various visual and performing arts disciplines at each grade level. Includes a glossary and list of references and resources. This revised framework was adopted by the California State Board of Education and by the San Diego Unified School District in January 2004. - Core Learnings ():
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 - SDUSD Visual and Performing Arts Course Descriptions (Course of Study)
Disciplines
Grade-Level Arts Experiences Project
VAPA is sponsoring the Grade-Level Arts Experiences Project. The goal is to provide every SDUSD student (K-8) a variety of grade-level-appropriate, meaningful, arts experiences, reflective of the VAPA standards and presented by trained, professional artists. It will enhance the current curriculum and involve the resources of local arts organizations.
VAPA Lessons
Dance: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Music: K
Theatre: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Visual Art: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Key Concepts and Criteria
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Curriculum Maps
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Magnet Schools
VAPA supports five arts magnet schools. They include:
- Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle School (CPMA)
- Freese Elementary
- Oak Park Music Conservatory
- San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA)
- Valencia Park Center for Academics, Drama & Dance
- Zamorano Fine Arts Academy
- VAPA Fact Sheet: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Lao
- VAPA Trainings: Level 1 | Level 2
- Student Photo/Video/Media Release Form:
English | Spanish
- SDUSD Student Art Gallery
- San Diego County Office of Education VAPA Website
- ArtsBusXpress
- International House of Blues Foundation
Assembly Related Policies & Procedures
- Administrative Procedure 4925: School Assemblies, K-6
- Administrative Procedure 9350: Display of Commercial Materials/Advertising; Distribution of Literature and/or Sales by Nonstudents and Community Organizations
- Site Operations Circular 1022: Approved Performances for Elementary School Assemblies
- List of Approved Performances for Elementary School Assemblies (3/08)
- Request for Approval: Performances for Elementary School Assemblies
For Arts Educators
- Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development (Arts Education Partnership) - Compendium of recent research in arts education disciplines.
- San Diego Arts Network - Provides resources and support for implementing and sustaining the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework and Standards.
- Teachingarts.org - Information and resources for arts educators.
- Visual & Performing Arts (San Diego County Office of Education)
Contact Information
San Diego Unified School District
Visual and Performing Arts Department (VAPA)
Mission Beach Center
825 Santa Barbara Place
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 539-5349 - Phone
(858) 539-5355 - Fax
Get Directions
Key Contacts
| Topic | Contact |
| Karen Childress-Evans, Ed.S. Visual And Performing Arts Director kchildressevans@sandi.net (858) 539-5349 |
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| Margaret Lathan Administrative Aide mlathan@sandi.net (858) 539-5349 |
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| Dance | Denise Lynne Dance Resource Teacher Teaching Artist Project (TAP) Coordinator dlynne@sandi.net (858) 539-5350 |
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| General Music and Choral | Dawn Andrews General Music and Choral Support Teacher vandrews@sandi.net (858) 539-5352 |
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| Instrumental Music | Mark Nicholson Instrumental Music Specialist mnicholson@sandi.net (858) 539-5351 |
| Instrumental Music | Jeanne Christensen Instrumental Music Support Teacher jchristensen1@sandi.net (858) 539-5354 |
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| Theatre | Marjorie Treger Theatre Resource Teacher mtreger1@sandi.net (858) 539-5350 |
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| Visual Art | Marty Stegeman Visual Art Resource Teacher mstegeman@sandi.net (858) 539-5353 |
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