About

Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) has long been committed to integrating arts education into its curriculum, recognizing the arts as a vital component of student learning and development. Over the decades, the district has worked to cultivate a robust arts program that enriches the educational experiences of its students.

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Early Foundations

The historical context for CCUSD’s commitment to arts education can be traced back to 1996 with the launch of the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) and a grant from Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).  Key educators, including Jim Knight (film), Darryl Hovis (theatre), and Kristine Hatanaka (art), collaborated with SPE’s Janice Pober to establish AVPA, using donated equipment to create specialized film, theatre, and art programs.  AVPA was created to offer an advanced, pre-professional training program in the arts offered after the regular school day (7th period).  AVPA was one Specialized Secondary Program (SSP) started at Culver City High School and the only one that is still in existence.

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In 2002 when Farragut Elementary School launched a strategic planning process to establish the arts as a dedicated subject, Sony Pictures Entertainment provided guidance and funding, while The Music Center’s Education Division supported the development of an arts education policy and budget. Farragut became a model for the district’s four other K-5 schools, demonstrating how arts education can be integrated into the core curriculum. This initiative laid the groundwork for CCUSD’s broader district-wide commitment to arts education.

 

Ms. Pober was very active with the public-private partnership idea and helped lead the way for the establishment of the LA County Arts Ed Collective and LA County Blueprint for the Arts, a framework to help implement sequential K–12 arts education in all 82 school districts in Los Angeles County. In 2003, CCUSD became one of five "vanguard" districts selected for support from the LA County Blueprint for the Arts, further solidifying its focus on pre-professional arts training, professional artist partnerships, and real-world arts experiences for students.

*Vanguard is a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas

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Growth and Expansion

In 2004, CCUSD created its first formal District/Community Arts Plan, led by the District Community Arts Team (DCAT) composed of 21 stakeholders, including administrators, educators, parents, and community arts advocates. The plan emphasized four key disciplines—visual arts, music, theatre, and dance—ensuring they were integrated into students' schedules and supported by district funding. The district updated its Arts Plan in 2011 and 2018 to maintain its focus on expanding equity and access, sustaining high-quality arts learning, and advocating for continued arts funding.

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Recent Developments and Strategic Growth

In December 2023, CCUSD reaffirmed its commitment with a new five-year Strategic Arts Plan (2023-2028). This plan builds upon previous efforts, further expanding arts programming across all grade levels. Elementary students benefit from the Art and Innovation Lab, which integrates project-based learning with visual arts, engineering, and design thinking. Music instruction is carefully articulated across TK-5th grades, culminating in instrumental lessons and exposure to world music. Additional music teachers are being added thanks to Proposition 28, ensuring that all elementary students receive general music instruction throughout the year.

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At Culver City Middle School (CCMS), students have access to music, visual art, theatre, and media arts through electives taught during the day. Partnerships with arts organizations provide students dance during PE with companies such as Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Leela Dance Collective, and On the Edge Dance Studio. The Actors’ Gang provides theatre arts integration within social studies classes.  

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Culver City High School (CCHS) offers comprehensive arts instruction in five disciplines through both the regular school program and the 7th-period Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA), which was founded in 1996. Additionally, Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways in Film, Live Events, Performing Arts, Music Technology, Architecture, and Video Game Design have been established, helping students transition their artistic passions into potential careers. A new "Art and Culture" class now satisfies both the Ethnic Studies and A-G Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) graduation requirements.

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Community Partnerships and Infrastructure

CCUSD’s arts programming is supported by strong community partnerships, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Culver City Education Foundation (CCEF), and various local arts organizations. These partnerships have provided funding, expertise, and technical support to sustain and enhance arts education throughout the district.

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Major infrastructure investments have also strengthened arts education. The district hired a full-time arts coordinator, built a fully equipped ceramics studio at CCHS, and renovated the historic Robert Frost Auditorium, which now serves as a premier state-of-the-art performance space for students. 

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Present and Future of Arts Education

Today, CCUSD boasts a thriving arts education program, offering students a diverse array of creative opportunities. Elementary schools provide foundational arts instruction, while middle and high school students can choose from an array of specialized courses in visual arts, digital media, performing arts, and music. The district embraces technology and innovation, incorporating digital arts and media production into its curriculum.

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Looking ahead, CCUSD continues to prioritize arts education, recognizing its role in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. With ongoing community involvement and strategic investments, the district remains dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality arts education.

From its modest beginnings to its current dynamic programs, arts education in Culver City Unified School District has evolved into a cornerstone of student enrichment, shaping generations of creative thinkers and artists.