Nancy Matarrita

2009 ARTS EDUCATION CANDIDATE SURVEY
Candidate: Nancy Matarrita	Email: nancy4pomona@gmail.com
District: Pomona USD	Website: www.nancy4pomona.20m.com
1.
Your district has embarked on a ten-year initiative to restore meaningful sequential arts education back into its core curriculum. What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the plan?	It is a wonderful goal to restore meaningful sequential arts education back into the core curriculum of Pomona Schools. I am concerned, however, that teachers and administrators feel pressured to concentrate on subjects like English and Math which are being tested and used to judge school performance, rather than restoring arts education. I am also concerned that the teachers may not have the arts background necessary to thoroughly teach art in an impactful way.
2.
If you are not familiar with the plan, what do you think your district can and should do to make this work more visible?	Other than just a proclamation, we need a plan to implement the arts into the classroom, and not just in token efforts. The district should utilize excess facilities for arts education, such as theatres and paint studios. Take inventory of the arts experience of our teachers and use those strengths to teach a higher quality, more personalized art education.
3.
What role do you think the arts can play in supporting key priorities of the district such as reducing the dropout rate, closing the achievement gap, and preparing more students for college eligibility?	Fine arts and performing arts are often the major attractions to keep students in school. Art can also be an effective medium to distract from and to refocus problem behavior into something constructive and beautiful. Arts can also help to close the achievement gap as low performing students buld confidence in something they are good at.
4.
In light of the current budget crisis, the state is now allowing local school districts flexibility to redirect their allocation from the “art and music block grant” to fund other local priorities. How would you balance the need to invest in arts education with the other financial challenges facing your district?	I would want any "redirection" of funds to include an art component, even if it is to purchase reading books - make them about music, painters, dancers, singers and how-tos. New curriculum need to encompass the arts in daily living, even as math problems.
5.
Did you have meaningful experiences with art (visual, dance, drama, music) growing up? Please tell us about that experience.	Yes. Growing up I was in numerous school drama productions, including as Helen Keller in the Miracle Worker. In addition, my parents were very much into art such as oil and watercolor painting, ink drawings, clock building, landscape design and bonsai plants as well as sculpture and metal work. They not only collected pieces, but always had a number of pieces that they were working on. We would tag along for art shows and explore galleries, and we would submit our own pieces to the county Fair for judging. Music, however, was never stressed, but I have made sure that each of my own children took music lessons, usually starting in a PUSD Elementary school. Art was an excuse to learn about history. My parents would drive out to a California mission or Gold mine, just to take some pictures that they could paint. I still have a number of those painting in my own home.
6.
Please take a moment to include any additional comments.	Thank you for the opportunity to share how important the arts are in our lives and how necessary they are for an excellent education.

For more information about arts education, please visit the following websites: L.A.U.S.D. Arts Education Information Arts for All: LA County Regional Blueprint for Arts Education California Alliance for Arts Education Arts for LA Arts for LA is a 501(c)(3) arts advocacy organization working to foster a healthy environment in which the arts and culture may thrive and be accessible to all in Los Angeles County. The objective of this survey is to help inform candidates as well as community stakeholders about arts education related issues. It is not an endorsement of any one candidate.