confetti dots in the colors purple and yellow

Annual Report 2023-24

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Dear Friends and Supporters,
It is with immense pleasure that I present to you the Annual Report for 2023/24. This year has been extraordinary, as we achieved remarkable milestones. We brought the transformative power of visual arts to over 85,000 students in 249 schools and after-school programs in thirty-two states. Over 47% of those we reach are in Title 1 schools in underserved communities.
Our accomplishments are a testament to the vision and dedication of our founder, Judy Sleeth, whose passion and commitment laid the foundation for all we do. Judy’s unwavering belief in the importance of visual arts education, for over 40 years, has been a guiding light for us, and we continue to be inspired by her legacy. Judy believes that “art is from the heart and is what ties a child to their education in general.” Judy was recently honored with the Jefferson Award Silver Medal for her public service.
This year has seen our programs grow in both scope and depth, thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers led by our committed Executive Director Mary Carbullido. Their hard work and creativity have brought our mission to life in classrooms.
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to our generous donors. Your support is the lifeblood of our organization, and your belief in our mission fuels our work every day. Your contributions have enabled us to expand our reach and bring high-quality visual arts education to even more students, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of the arts. Educators, you are the true heroes of this story. Your dedication to your students and your belief in the power of the arts to enrich their lives is what makes our work possible. We are honored to work alongside you and to support you in bringing the arts into your classrooms.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to my Co-Chair, Willow Betchel, for her hard work and unwavering dedication to Art in Action. Willow’s passion and her commitment to our mission have been influential in driving our success. I am incredibly thankful for her partnership this past year. And, of course, none of this would be possible without the leadership and guidance of our entire Board of Directors. Your strategic vision has been instrumental in steering our organization through this year of growth. I am deeply grateful for your service and for the wisdom you bring to our work.
As we look to the future, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. With the passage of Proposition 28, we have the potential to expand our impact in California and help ensure that every child has equal access to the creative opportunities that the arts provide. Thank you, once again, for being a part of this incredible journey. Together, we are changing lives through visual arts education, and we look forward to the year ahead with hope and enthusiasm.
With warmest regards,
Susan Ball
Chair, Board of Directors Art in Action
“I cannot put a value on this program. It is important and essential for growing minds that they are exposed to different art processes and techniques and helps the students grow in being able to communicate through art. I am excited to have this program in our school!”
-Holly Stotts, teacher at Allen Elementary School in San Bruno, CA
“Cureton is a VAPA school, but because of our low-income area, students aren't always exposed to art as they should be. Art in Action helps to bridge this gap. Students need art in their lives to help them become well-rounded individuals.”
-Kelsey Rothrock, 5th grade Teacher at Horace Cureton Elementary, San Jose, CA
“With Art in Action, my students mature due to their confidence and style in their art. Art in Action has also helped behavior issues. For example, I have an overactive student who is calm and focused for the entire hour of art!”
-3rd grade Teacher at Selma Olinder Elementary, San Jose, CA
Meet Avery:
A rising junior at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, Avery’s love for art began when Art in Action visited her elementary school. This early exposure to creative expression ignited a lifelong passion that she now channels into volunteer work, giving back to the organization that inspired her.

Supporting Creativity:
At her high school, where creativity flourishes through courses like woodshop, metal shop, and performing arts, Avery found the perfect environment to deepen her artistic skills. Motivated to give others similar opportunities, she launched a project supporting Art in Action’s mission to bring art education to underserved communities.

The Reward of Giving Back:
Volunteering has been deeply rewarding for Avery. “It’s really nice to give people the opportunity to experience art, whether they connect with it or not,” she shared. Her favorite part? Teaching art classes to kids and seeing their joy firsthand.

Milestones & Achievements:
Avery’s journey has been marked by memorable moments. She initiated her high school’s involvement with Art in Action’s Public Purpose Program, mobilized her peers to help pack 325 art kits, and raised funds to create even more. These kits have brought creative joy to children in San Francisco & beyond.

Overcoming Challenges:
From coordinating with busy teachers to raising funds, Avery’s path has not been without hurdles. By shifting her focus to donating art kits to homeless shelters and community organizations, she found an effective way to make an impact despite logistical challenges.
Making a Difference:
Avery’s story is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and volunteerism. Her dedication to sharing the joy of art has not only enriched her own life but also brought countless smiles to the children she served. Avery’s journey inspires us all to use our passions to make the world a more colorful and joyful place, one art kit at a time.

Girl smiling and holding art with colorful dots around her

Our Community
of Supporters

Art in Action is grateful for your generous support for the year of 2023-2024.

$80,000 - $20,000
• Adobe Employee Community Fund
• Applied Materials Foundation ~
• Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
• Denise and Woody Shackleton *
• Judy and Wally Sleeth *
• Kimball Foundation ~
• Leo M. Shortino Foundation ~
$5,000 - $19,999
• Adobe, Inc.
• Adrian and Archana Ridner *
• Alejandra and Tom Elam *
• Atkinson Foundation
• Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation
• Eliane and Armand Neukermans *
• Hurlbut-Johnson Charitable Trusts
• Julia Rieger *
• Julie and David Fellers *
• Karen and Ed Canty, Jr. *
• Marc Serughetti and Kaleo Serughetti-Waxman *
• META Community Fund ~
• Michele Talvin *
• Palo Alto Community Foundation
• Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund ~
• San Bruno Community Foundation ~
• Sandra Fairon *
• Willow and Jay Bechtel *

$2,000 - $4,999
• The Alexandria
• Celia Walker
• Corinne Cho-Beaulieu and Bob Beaulieu
• Daniel Linger
• Debbie Evers Allen
• Elizabeth Hekman
• Gordon Family Foundation
• Frank and Peg Austin
• Intuit
• Judy and Gerron Vartan
• K&L Wine Merchants
• Lauren Zachry
• Lisa and William Zachry
• Mary and Gary Ellison
• Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation
• Mike and Dione Duran
• Nike, Inc.
• Olya and Dragomir Anguelov
• PayPal Giving Fund
• Prashant Shukla
• Rodney Toy
• Seiler, LLP
• Shani Podell and Leo Szilardy
• Steve Li
• Susan Ball
• Terri Bullock
• Tom Heuer
• Vijay Singh
• Wendy Bergh
$1,000 - 1,999
• Anonymous
• Abbey Kerins
• Ann Lewnes and Greg Welch
• Anna Zara
• Barbara Karlin
• Belmont Wine Exchange
• Carolyn Brennan
• Cathie Nelson
• Cherise Thompson
• Claire Khouri
• David and Keli Amann
• Diane Crittenden and Howard Crittenden III
• Diane Huang
• Dianne and Ed Barney
• Domenico Winery & Osteria
• Four Seasons Silicon Valley
• Gail Ragains
• Jacqueline Kurzer
• Jane Underwood
• Joanne and Roger Sherrard
• Kim Crockett
• Missy and Rick Bechtel
• Oracle Corporation
• Pamela Weiss
• Ruth and Jeffrey
• San Mateo Daily Journal
• Stephanie Chu and Melind John
• Teresa Halton Photography
• Tom Cooper
• Yoon Jeong Choi

$500 - 999
• Andrew Huang
• Anne Campbell and Michelle Green
• Arthur Murray Dance Studio
• Barbara and Chuck Preuss
• Carol Aust
• Cathy and David Tokic
• Elsa Schafer Raval and Asha Raval
• Emily Mockett and Phil Hutcherson
• Frances and John O'Sullivan
• Ingrid and Chris Freire
• Irene Baran
• Jenna Adair
• Jennifer Glenday
• Jim and Vicky Merchant
• JLA Foundation
• Jo Sauer Mitchell and Steve Mitchell
• Joe Cusick
• John Guinn
• Kenneth Wach and Geri Crane
• Kurt Seibert
• Lockheed Martin Employees Political Action Committee
• Mary and Greg Carbullido
• Megan Billinger
• Mitch Juricich
• Nordic Nest
• Project Strong
• Samira Bakhtiary
• Santa Cruz Core Fitness and Rehab
• Susan Slusser and Daniel Brown
• Total Wine & More
• Vanguard Charitable
• Wente Vineyards
• Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley
$200 - 499
• Alexandria Kenyon
• Amy and Rob McHugh
• Andrea Ressi
• April Vanderbilt
• Camper Restaurant
• Carl Olsen
• Carrington Kujawa
• Christine Holt
• Colleen Devlin and Rick Rosenthal
• Danforth and Lisa Miller
• David and Nina Bond
• Dean Peterson
• Donna and Garrett Wada
• Elaine Hammond and John Donald
• Elizabeth and Enrique Silva
• Flying Suitcase Wines
• Francesca Segre
• Frank Poss
• Glenn and Emily Auyoung
• Helen Dolan
• Ingrid Palu
• J.K. Carriere Wines
• Jacque and John Jarve
• Jay and Joyce Friedrichs
• Jessica Richter
• John and Patricia Giosso
• John Cassidy and Megan Anhalt
• Jordan DeBilzan
• Judy Ford and Daniel Mathalon
• Julie and Colin Savage
• Karen and Steve Skurnac
• Kelli Montgomery
• Kelly Bugos
• Let's Roam
• Linda Kuhli
• Lisa Shannon
• Margie Rubin
• Marlena Segi
• Michele Moretti
• Monica and Roger Ross
• Nancy Mathews
• Naughty Dog, LLC
• Oakland Athletics
• Philipa and Jim Caldwell
• Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa
• Rebecca Bloom
• Rebeccana Day Spa
• Richard and Susan
• Seiler
• Rose and David O'Sullivan
• Sally and Russell Porter
• Sarah Balling Macias
• Stephanie Somers
• Steven Cracknell
• Susan Kay Lang
• Suzanne Webster Morris
• Valerie and Lars Pedersen
• Veronica Lozada Ryan
• VISA
• Wayne Kvenvold

$100 - 199
• American Conservatory Theater
• Amy and Jeff Crowe
• AvantGard Spa
• Benevity Community Impact Fund
• Betsy Halaby
• Blenko Glass Co
• Carol and Donald Teodoro
• Carolyn and John Shea
• Castillo's Hillside Shire Winery
• Cathy Baird and Stanley Karp III
• Charles Schmuck
• Cori Carpenter
• CuriOdyssey
• Dana Posey
• Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
• Golden Rule Spirits
• Henry and Nancy Greenberg
• Ian Lecca
• Jacqui DeMartini
• Jerry Lee
• Jill Mannie
• Judy and Walt Robinson
• Karen Tallackson Bacon
• Kate Kodesh
• Kelly Leo and Keith Whitman
• Ken and Jocelyn Preminger
• Kenneth Arai
• Kyle Jamieson
• Laura McHugh
• Laurie Robbins
• Leslie Ashton Martel
• Linda Catura
• Lynn and Bob Bastida
• Maggie and Tom Rancatore
• Manuel and Thora Solis
• Marc Goldburg and Elizabeth Noerdlinger
• Marian and Thomas Hill
• Mariana Moore
• Marsha Campbell and Bob Mullen
• Martha Mertz
• Mary Ann Michaels
• Matt Lindeman
• Megan Shackleton and George Weiner
• Melanie Erasmus
• Melissa Mahoney
• Michele and Chris Nadan
• Micron Technology Foundation
• Mister Car Wash
• Museum of Science and Curiosity
• Nancy and Penn Butler
• Oakland Zoo
• Pech Merle Winery
• Presidio Bowling Center
• Rachelle Albini
• Rebecca Tom
• Rita and David Helseth
• Robert and Constance Loarie
• Robert and Sylvia Dickinson
• Rosemary Enthoven
• Ruby Hill Winery
• San Francisco Opera
• San Jose Giants
• Sharon Jahnke
• Shirley and Jerry Carlson
• St. George Spirits
• Steven and Lisa Tsuruoka
• Sue Leiter
• Susan and Pat Coan
• Susan Loo
• Susan Stevens
• Susie and James Peyton
• Tammy Polanco
• Tara Sasagawa
• TheatreWorks
• Thomas Fogarty Winery
• Top Golf
• Tracey Won
• Venetia Young
• Verity and Geoff Powell
• Walt Disney Family Museum
• Waterbar
• Wendy and Craig Nishizaki
• Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains
• Zoom Video Communications

$1 - 99
• Anonymous
• Alex and Penelope Huang
• Aline Ng
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Barkbox
• Blick Art Materials
• Bluestone Jewelry
• Brad Joyner
• Brian Allen
• Carol Edmiston and Paul Sakai
• The Cheese Board Collective
• Courtney Palloca
• Cribsi
• Cris Adair
• Crow's Nest
• Crystal Kung
• Daniel Weissbard
• David Coffaro Vineyard and Winery
• Dorothy Saxe
• Emily Harborne
• Emmet Sun Faction Brewing
• Felix and Kat Carbullido
• Gail De Bellis
• The Huntington
• Irwin and Ceevah Sobel
• Jana Paquette
• Janet and Victor Schachter
• Janet Spike Hayes
• Jeff Jones
• Jill Reinemann
• Judy and Chuck Rino
• Kaitlin Pensabene
• Karen and John Rashleger
• Kendra Scott LLC
• Kristen Avery
• Leslie Bandy
• Lisa Seim
• Malibu Wine Hikes
• Matthews International Capital Management LLC
• Megan Minich
• Michelle Mauk
• Mirta Degastaldi-Ortiz
• Monique Soto
• Movement: Santa Clara
• Nima Desai
• The Painted Cork
• Patti Lee
• Pledgeling Foundation
• Portland Apron Company
• Raikirat Sohi
• Rosalie Emanuel
• Rubicon Pizza Company
• Russian Ridge Winery
• Sam Huynh
• San Francisco Giants
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
• San Jose Sharks
• Sarah Sorensen
• Terry Hewins
• Thomas Int-Hout
• Tipsy Putt
• Woodside Vineyards
• Ziba Aflak