As we continue to fulfill our mission of bringing the community together through the arts, PVA continues to expand our partnership with the schools of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD). Our involvement with students now extends beyond gallery tours to include programs such as Artes PVA and Teen Artes. PVA also continues to participate in the county-wide arts advocacy group Arts Now advocating for equitable arts education.
Resources For Teachers & Community Groups
Download our education flyer to find out what’s going at PVA during the school year!
Experience Art
Gallery Tours
PVA’s educational programs provide students and teachers the opportunity to make, exhibit and tour fine art exhibits free of charge. Our programs offer opportunities to learn about and better understand art, art making, and the expressive qualities of art made by outstanding regional artists. PVA hosts field trips for all grade levels year-round. Gallery tours provide opportunities for students, teachers, and parents to broaden their understanding of art, medium, and techniques. We offer tours in English and Spanish. SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY!
Now available on our website are online 3D tours of current and past exhibitions! Can’t make it in to the gallery? Teachers can take advantage of our free tour program and “walk” students through our virtual gallery: pvarts.org/virtual-tours
Annual PVUSD Student Art Exhibit
PVA works closely with teachers and school administrators to assist with the annual PVUSD student art show at the Watsonville Civic Plaza. Each year, PVA volunteers frame and hang 300-400 student art pieces from throughout the district. These works of art are displayed in the library, courtrooms, and administrative offices and remain in place for one year. An annual opening reception allows families to come and see their student’s work framed and proudly hanging in a public space!
Artes PVA
Artes PVA is a FREE field trip art program for K-5 students to experience art as both viewers and makers. Artes PVA engages children in learning from local, professional artists. Students are provided with a guided tour followed by an hour-long art making activity inspired by the artworks they saw!
Available Sessions: March – May & September – November
For more information and inquiry contact josefina@pvarts.org
What is included through Artes PVA?
- Students are provided with a gallery tour & active discussion about artwork on view
- Post-tour, students participate in an hour-long art-making activity inspired by what they saw
- Standards-based curriculum which engages students’ creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills
- In accordance with the California Standards for Visual Arts, students who participate will be able to Respond, Create, and Connect
- Students will learn from local professional artists invited to talk about their artwork, cultural themes, and their surrounding natural environment
- Teachers will gain insight to further implement meaningful art practices in their classroom
Teen Artes
In this after-school program, high school students create and develop their artistic skills with local professional artists, learn about art-related career fields, go on field trips to learn from practicing art professionals, collaborate with PVA staff to learn about how a gallery setting functions behind the scenes, and participate in a pop-up exhibition!
Next session of the program starts October 12, 2023
For More Information: pvarts.org/teen-artes
To Apply: https://forms.gle/HX4ayAgeRGtG3pNU8
Questions? Contact: josefina@pvarts.org
Past Arts Education Programs
“Protect the Sacred” Poster Contest
Protect the Sacred – Poster Contest was an Indigenous and environmental justice themed visual arts contest for middle and high school students in the Watsonville area. Winners received a $50 gift card and had their artwork included in the Alma Sagrada: Cultivando Ritmos Naturales art exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts. Check out the exhibit virtually here: Alma Sagrada Virtual Tour. In partnership with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, curriculum associated with the local Protect Juristac movement is available for teachers and mentors supporting student participation: https://www.protectjuristac.org/curriculum/
View slideshow of poster contest entries
Wetlands Student Art 2019
Pajaro Valley Arts in collaboration with Watsonville Wetlands Watch created an arts based education program to help educate students about our local wetlands. The program was taught by Arts Council Santa Cruz County SPECTRA artist Linda Cover during the Pajaro Valley Unified School District summer session. Students (grades k-5) learned about local wetlands then drew the plants and animals of this valuable local environment. We hope you will enjoy their beautiful artwork! This project was supported through the generosity of the Repass-Rodgers Family Foundation.
View Gallery