ABOUT THE PROJECT

Allied Arts is the organization behind art lessons in Whatcom County schools. Our teaching artists meet and exceed the state standards and curriculum in their education of approximately 8,000 students annually. We’ve shown our commitment to art access by educating both public and private school students since 2002, and we’re excited to expand art access with the Allied Arts Education Project (AAEP).

 

AAEP is the umbrella term we use for all of our art education programming. This includes: Allied Arts teaching artists in both public and private schools and at community festivals, our Veterans Art Program, our partnership with Dementia Support NW, and our continued arts education advocacy efforts.

We currently have four projects in public arts education: (1) three hour sessions, (2) Bellingham 5th grade 12 hour intensive sessions, (3) all school projects, (4) Children’s Art Walk.

 

School Districts Served: Bellingham Public Schools, Mount Baker School District, Meridian School District, Blaine School District, Nooksack Valley School District, Ferndale School District

 

Private Schools Include: Whatcom Hills Waldorf School, Franklin Academy, Gabriel’s Art School,Cedar Tree Montessori and Samish Woods Montessori Schools

 

Partners: Pickford Film Center, Whatcom Museum, Spark Museum of Radio & Electricity, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, Mount Baker Theatre

 

Volunteers From: Western Washington University, Opportunity Council, Whatcom Community College, WorkSource, Northwest Youth Services

As well as the 100s of parents and parent-teacher organizations who aid in program administration, fundraising and assisting the teaching artists in the classrooms.

 

Teaching Artists

 

Thank You to Our Supports: ArtsWA, NEA, McMillan Foundation, Whatcom Community Foundation, Bellingham Schools District

 

Types of Projects:

  1. Three Hour Sessions
  2. All School Projects
  3. Children’s Art Walk

In an effort to meet the needs of our community, current programming outside the schools includes:

  1. Kids Art Activities at Community Festivals
  2. Dementia Support NW 
  3. Veterans Program 
  4. Arts Education Advocacy

Types of Arts:

  • Visual Arts
  • Folk & Traditional Art
  • Theater Arts, Movement & Dance
  • Cartooning
  • Photography
  • Literary Arts
  • Recycled Arts

During the month of May, Allied Arts hosts the Children’s Art Walk each year which provides children with a chance to display their wonderful works of art in businesses throughout downtown Bellingham. Read more about how Allied Arts, local businesses, and Bellingham schools collaborate to celebrate Washington State Arts Education Month here.