Looking for a fun and meaningful way to celebrate National Art Day on April 15? Download a free K–8 art curriculum lesson from Art in Action! Perfect for classrooms, homeschool families, and afterschool programs, this hands-on activity introduces kids to artist Paul Klee while supporting creativity, cultural awareness, and visual literacy. Explore our engaging art curriculum for kids and spark imagination today!

Honoring a Legacy of Creativity and Impact
At this year’s OBJECT:ART 2025 fundraiser, we proudly presented the Art Visionary Award to longtime arts advocate and Art in Action pioneer, Betsy Halaby. From shaping our early curriculum to championing creativity in classrooms for nearly four decades, Betsy’s legacy reminds us how imagination truly moves the mind—and changes lives. Read on to learn more about her extraordinary contributions to art education and the special moment that brought our community together in celebration.

Bringing art into your classroom doesn’t have to be complicated. With Art in Action’s K–8 art curriculum, educators get time-saving, standards-aligned resources—no art degree required. Whether you teach in a traditional classroom, homeschool, or afterschool setting, explore how ready-made lessons and easy assessments make art integration seamless and impactful for all students.

Painting is more than a fun classroom activity—it’s a powerful tool for child development. This blog explores the cognitive, emotional, and academic benefits of visual arts education and how K–8 art curriculum programs like Art in Action support creative growth. Whether you teach in a classroom, homeschool, or run an afterschool program, discover how painting can transform learning for every child.

Meet Avery, a rising junior at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, who has been making waves in the community through their passion for art and volunteerism. Avery’s journey with art began at a young age when Art in Action visited their school, sparking a lifelong love for creativity. Now, they are giving back to the organization that ignited their artistic passion.

Last month at the Sandpiper Community Center in Redwood City, I experienced the joy of the Art in Action Annual Community Art Show for the first time. This vibrant one-day exhibit displayed the remarkable talents of students across the Bay Area, transforming the venue into a lively gallery of colorful artworks and compelling stories.

We are deeply saddened to share about the passing of an iconic artist and storyteller, Faith Ringgold, who left us on April 13, 2024, at the age of 93. Known for her vivid story quilts that weave rich narratives about African American life and history, Faith's art transcended the confines of traditional media, leaving a legacy that will inspire generations.

What a night! Last month, Art in Action hosted its annual fundraiser, OBJECT:ART, and it was a truly special evening. As the new Marketing Manager, it was my first chance to meet incredible Art in Action educators and thank the dedicated volunteers who attended – especially those from our amazing partner groups, The Junior League of Palo Alto - Mid Peninsula and One Brick Silicon Valley.

We're bursting with gratitude as we share incredible news - together, we've reached 1400 kids through our fall campaign! 🎨 Your support has painted smiles on young faces and opened the door to a world of creativity.

Art in Action’s October Creative Connections offered insights into identifying when one is under pressure and how to use art to relieve and manage stress for oneself and others. Check out our post for some additional resources we provided during the event!

This month we're thrilled to highlight one of our amazing volunteers, Tom Heuer. This amazing Board Volunteer, Tom Heuer, shares the impact Art in Action has made for him and others in the community.

This month we’re thrilled to highlight one of our amazing volunteers, Samara Stone. This amazing Warehouse Subassembly Volunteer, Samara Stone, shares the impact Art in Action has made for her and others in the community.

Thank you for making our annual fundraiser a success!
Children share their experiences on the empowerment of Art in Action in the following video….

Research finds that access to extracurricular activities, both in and out of school, such as music, art, debate, sports, etc., is essential for a child’s physical and emotional development. Through participation in these activities, children are provided a safe environment to channel their energy positively and constructively. These types of activities also can spur collaborations that can expand social networks and lead to new and positive academic or career opportunities.

With this Art In Action lesson, students will learn how to describe the balance of a painting and experiment with different painting techniques. By making abstract shapes, students can create unique watercolor compositions and are encouraged to limit colors to increase negative space.