We are excited to share updates on our in-school programs and Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) initiatives for the upcoming months! From January to May, we will engage with over 50 schools across various programs, residencies, and workshops, fostering students' creativity, expression, and growth across San Diego.

Here are just a few 🤩

✔️ National School District – Olivewood, Central, Ira Harbison, Otis, and Las Palmas

✔️ NSD Afterschool Programs – Ira Harbison, Las Palmas, and Rancho

✔️ Boone Elementary School Dance Residency

✔️ CPMA Grade 8 Visual Art Workshops

✔️ CPMA Professional Development Workshops

✔️ Audubon Elementary Music Residency

✔️ Freese Visual Art Residencies

✔️ Poway Onstage Workshops

✔️ Edison Elementary Mural Club & Dance Programming (Price Philanthropies Grant)

✔️ Finney ElementaryTheatre Residency & PD Workshops (Turnaround Arts CA Grant)

These programs provide valuable creative learning experiences through dance, music, theater, and visual arts, enriching the lives of students and educators alike.

We are grateful for our partnerships and the generous grants that make these opportunities possible. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue expanding our reach and impact!

Questions or interested in collaborating?

Please don't hesitate to contact us here.

Thank you for supporting arts education and extended learning!

📢 Drum Roll, Please! 🥁

The people have spoken (that's YOU)! We received four amazing nominations, and now it’s time to cast your vote! ☑️

Make your voice heard and help decide the winner. Click the links below to vote now!

💙 After School Program

💚 Art Classes for Kids

🧡 Dance Classes for Kids

💛 Theatre Classes for Kids

Voting closes March 24th, so don’t wait!

Let the best nominee win! 🏆

Teaching Artist Spotlight

LAURA HODGE 

Teaching Artist - Dance, Theatre, & Musical Theatre Laura Hodge has spent many years as a multi-hyphenate cross-disciplinary artist - with professional performance and teaching experience in Dance, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Film, TV, Choreography, Writing, and Voiceover work. 

Laura started teaching with AECSD in 2016 when it was formerly known as Young Audiences. She believes that the organization infuses vitality into the lives of school-age children in San Diego through arts education, and that working with AECSD has grown into its best version. Laura especially likes teaching TK-3rd grade. The students are so excited and open to ideas. This year was extra special to return to the National City School district and reconnect with many teachers she has worked with for many years.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa, then moved to Los Angeles, and has been planted in San Diego for 20 years. She has performed in numerous Musical Theatre Productions, Dance companies, Touring Companies, Film, and Television, is a Union Member of SAG-Screen Actors Guild, and does Voice Over work. 

Fun Fact: Laura performed onstage with friend and classmate Billy Porter in a play at Carnegie Mellon University. 

In San Diego, she has also worked as a TA for Malashock Dance, San Diego Jr Theatre, Civic Youth Ballet, City Ballet, the Kroc Center, Villa Musica, and more… 

Laura formed the San Diego Creative Arts project (SDCAP) in 2012. Through SDCAP, she provides opportunities for students to participate in original plays, often modern versions of old fairy tales with bi-national productions in San Diego, Tijuana, and Rosarito. Laura also has a heart for working with senior citizens through Grey Matters. She is working on a creator channel for both kids dance, and senior chair dance. Check out her website here: https://www.creativeartsinternational.org/

We invite you to support our teaching artists so they can continue to inspire and educate students through their creative talents and passion for the arts. Your generous donation will enable our teaching artists to conduct workshops, performances, and educational activities, enriching the lives of students and fostering a love for creativity and learning.

Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of students by contributing today!