Our Mission and Vision

Over 4 million children in the U.S. lack access to art education.

Our mission is to provide an art curriculum that expands their knowledge in art techniques, cultural understanding, and core subject topics, along with providing the art supplies and training for educators and volunteers to bring the curriculum to life!

Our vision is that all students in the U.S. have access to art education through our program.

Our impact is POWERFUL & PROVEN.

Emely Araujo Hernandez from 4th grade

“When I’m in art class, like Art in Action, I feel like I’m free.”

Camila Knigge from 6th grade

Dylan Vieler from 5th grade

“It’s the only class I actually get to be creative.“

“It just makes me feel really good about myself when I’m done.”

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Our History

1982-1998

Art in Action begins in 1982 at Laurel School in Menlo Park, bringing art education to kindergarten students.
A few other schools joins in 1983.
It expands annually, adding new grades and hand-typed handbooks crafted with care.
1999

Co-founders Judy Sleeth and Betsy Halaby decides to transform their passion into the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that Art in Action is today.
A total of 11 schools is using Art in Action.
2000-2001

Art in Action establishes its first physical location in Menlo Park.
The first art box is created for purchase. By 2001, a total of 150 art boxes are sold.
2003

50 schools are actively using Art in Action programs.
2005-2007

Middle school curriculums are fully developed, and video lessons are being created through CD-ROM for our audience beyond the Bay Area.
2008-2010

Teacher site is created for streamlined art instruction.
By 2010, over 100 schools are participating in the program.
2020-2021

Studio Series Lessons is developed to support distance learning during the pandemic.
Art in STEAM lessons are launched in collaboration with Junior League.
2023

85,000 students are served in a single academic year, marking a record for us.
We reach a milestone of serving 1 million students since our founding!