ArtsEd Washington

There's still time to submit your interest in this year's Ambassador program! Each month, ambassadors will get to explore a variety of topics in breakout rooms, learning from each other and building relationships in real time.

Clock hours are available for educators, and ambassadors of all backgrounds will get to:
-Discuss strengths and needs in school arts programs
-Support arts education in local and state systems
-Expand your network across the state

📲 https://www.artsedwashington.org/leadership-opportunities

Remember the student voice survey we distributed in June?

"Of the 606 responses, 318 students (52%) indicated limited or complete lack of arts access in elementary or middle school; students from rural, online, hybrid, or alternative programs were disproportionately represented, as were students from Pierce, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties." Yes, Washington State has learning standards for five categories of visual and performing arts from K-12, but the existence of standards doesn't guarantee access.

This is just one of many reasons why students need guaranteed arts access in high school!

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights.

❓ Want to make a positive impact, not only in students’ arts access but also in the leadership of ArtsEd Washington?

🗓️ We’re accepting applications for new board members through July 31!

🙌 New members will begin meeting via Zoom in September.

📲 https://form.jotform.com/261027002561140

❓ What’s new in our Community Ambassador program? Two new ways to engage with arts leaders and supporters around the state!

🗓️ Each month, we’ll have Zoom room breakouts to discuss the topic of your choice! Learning from each other, asking questions, and building relationships in real time.

🗣️ In between discussions, ambassadors can casually engage with each other on Slack.

📝 As always, ambassadors will also have prime access to ArtsEd updates, resources, and more!

📲 Apply to the Ambassadors program through the end of July, and start connecting in late August!

https://form.jotform.com/261916726897172

📣 Feeling inspired by the recent arts advocacy?
Join us each month to stay informed, connect with other advocates, and help guide state-level conversations!

🗓 Through July 31, we're accepting applications for our Board of Directors and for our Community Ambassador program!

🔗 https://www.artsedwashington.org/leadership-opportunities

Leadership Opportunities — Arts Education Washington What does leading look like at Arts ED Washington? As a grassroots non-profit, ArtsED Washington invites leadership in a variety of ways. Common roles are Board Members, Community Ambassadors, and Project-Based Volunteers. To encourage representation throughout Washington, these roles all include re...

🎉 We're sending a huge shout out to all the students, educators, community members, decision-makers, and ArtsEd partners who are strengthening arts access this summer!

🗓 The past few weeks have been full of passionate collaboration across several projects, and we’re truly grateful to be working alongside so many people who care deeply about this mission.

🙌🏼 Thank you all for being part of this community!

📣 We are hiring for a part-time Operations Manager!

➡ Consider joining our team or sharing with a colleague who would be a great addition.

🎬 Update: The hiring committee will begin reviewing applications on Monday, July 13!

📝 View the job description, hours, and application process here:

Operations Job Description.2026.pdf

💡Advocacy is not a one-time action.
It’s an ongoing conversation.
A season of listening, learning, and sharing.

This is the draft of graduation requirements shared by the State Board of Education as of this morning (6/24).

We’ve highlighted a few sections but we’re not (yet) telling our thoughts.

❓What things do YOU notice? Share your insights and your questions!

👨🏻‍💻 You might have missed this if you're not on Instagram: 13 students from the Washington State Thespians recorded and posted personalized videos sharing about what arts access means to them, and advocating to preserve the graduation requirements.

Their testimonies are varied and insightful.

No two humans experience the arts the same way, yet thousands of Washingtonians are agreeing that these experiences must be preserved. And these students have done a brilliant job of articulating why.

🎬 Take the time to watch each student's video and show them your support!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZI279Zy1IF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

There is still work to be done! Email [email protected]: I urge the Washington State Board of Education to reconsider proposals that would reduce arts graduation requirements under the guise of increasing flexibility. The arts are not an “extra.” They are fundamental to student engagement, belonging, creativity, communication, and mental health. Reducing required arts access will disproportionately impact students who already face barriers to opportunity and will further narrow educational experiences in districts under financial pressure. A well-rounded education should expand pathways for students, not eliminate the very programs that help many students connect to school, discover their strengths, and envision their futures. #WAThespians #WashingtonThespians #Thespians #SchoolTheatre #Theatre

📊Some great new research validating the value of arts!

💡And where better to ensure these positive impacts than with our youth?