Seattle Schools' goal: to create arts education for everyone

Seattle school officials are using a $1 million grant to try to craft a comprehensive, K-12 arts curriculum — something that the district hasn't had in decades, if ever...

In general, white students in wealthy areas are more likely to have access (to arts education). Seattle Public Schools officials recently received a $1 million grant from The Wallace Foundation to confront that reality. The money comes with a January 2013 deadline for the district to develop a districtwide arts curriculum — essentially, minimum requirements for visual arts, music, dance and theater — as well as strategies to enlist support from principals and community partners.

But the effort, the latest in a string of attempts to improve the district's arts program, faces challenges — including uncertainty about where to get funding to implement any plan. "I appreciate that they're doing it, I appreciate that they're getting input, but oh my goodness," said Laura Martin, a parent who attended a meeting soliciting community input on the plan last week. "We have so far to go."

The process comes as local arts advocates say the widely debated focus on measurable outcomes in public education is starting to endanger after-school programs.