America through innovative visual arts programs and communities. We believe that a quality art education is critical for every student's preparation for success in the 21st century, and we actively assist schools in implementing a comprehensive, standards based visual art program.

The Art in Action Program enriches the lives of thousands of students each year in public and private schools and after school enrichment programs through an engaging, hands-on curriculum that teaches art history, art appreciation, and art techniques. Through the training and support of educators and volunteers, Art in Action seeks to make visual art an integral part of every student's education.

Art is a visual language that speaks to students of all learning styles, providing them the opportunity to create, problem solve, and think critically — skills essential for success both in the classroom and beyond it. Art education engages children more fully in all aspects of learning and gives them a richer understanding of themselves and the world around them. Art encourages children to become curious, imaginative students and interested, thoughtful people.

The Art in Action School Program is a discipline-based, sequential art curriculum designed around the works of the great masters. The curriculum comprises 108 lessons, 12 each year from kindergarten through eighth grade. The Art in Action Program is aligned with California and National Visual Arts Standards and integrated with other elements of the core curriculum.

Taught by classroom teachers and parent volunteers, the Art in Action curriculum is fun to learn and easy to teach, even for non-artists. Art in Action provides training for teachers and volunteer docents, ongoing school support, and all the art materials and prints necessary for implementing a yearlong program. Curriculum books provide detailed, recipe-style directions for guiding successful discussions and projects, while still allowing the flexibility to ensure that the Art in Action Program will complement every school environment.

The online resources provide animated analysis of each masterpiece, background information on the artist and art style, video directions showing how to do the project, and detailed suggestions for curriculum integration, planning, setup, and resources. At the end of each lesson, students are asked to identify their understanding of concepts and vocabulary as applied to their own creative masterpiece.