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 H. from 4th grade
“When I’m in art class, like Art in Action, I feel like I’m free.”
Camila K. from 6th grade
Dylan V. 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.”
Our History
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![Art in Action founder (Judy Sleeth, right) presenting artwork to students]()
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.
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![student presenting art to peers sitting on a carpet floor]()
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.
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![art supplies on black table]()
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.
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![two students smiling and holding artwork]()
2003
50 schools are actively using Art in Action programs.
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![students creating watercolor paintings in a classroom]()
2005-2007
Middle school curriculums are fully developed, and video lessons are being created through CD-ROM for our audience beyond the Bay Area.
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![four students wearing Art in Action t-shirts]()
2008-2010
Teacher site is created for streamlined art instruction.
By 2010, over 100 schools are participating in the program.
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![Art in Action team holding up artwork in an online meeting]()
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.
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![educator presenting art samples to students]()
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!
