The Arts

The Arts in Washington state include dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. Quality instruction in the Arts is provided by specialists and classroom teachers and supported by partnerships with professional organizations and community programs.

Learning Standards

The Arts learning standards describe what students should know and be able to do in the arts. The final and approved Arts Learning Standards are now available for use and implementation.

Assessments

The OSPI-Developed Performance Assessments help schools and districts determine whether students have met the Arts learning standards.

Annual High School Art Show

High school students from across the state participate in our artistic celebration each year, the Superintendent's High School Art Show.

Arts Graduation Requirements

The state's arts high school graduation requirement is one (1) credit in visual or performing arts aligned tohigh school arts learning standards or, for the Class of 2019 and beyond, two (2) credits of arts, one of which may be replaced by a Personalized Pathway Requirement.

Get Involved

Washington state arts educators, administrators, teaching artists, and high school students are invited to join the following virtual convenings. These conversations are dedicated to sharing ideas, learning, and addressing key issues in arts education. Clock hours are also available.

Washington Arts Educator Collaborative

The Washington Arts Educator Collaborative are for arts educators, administrators, teaching artists, and high school students. Topics of conversation have included Social Emotional Learning in the Arts, teaching the arts during COVID-19, grant opportunities, and legislation about arts education.

  • Meets once a month, Wednesday from 4:00-5:00 pm.
  • Email theOSPI Arts team for meeting notifications.
Washington Arts Education Administrators

The Washington Arts Education Administrators are for arts administrators from school districts or arts organizations serving youth. Topics of conversation have included COVID-19 protocols in the classroom, arts education legislation, grant opportunities, resources and materials, and hiring arts educators.

  • Meets biweekly, Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 pm
  • Email theOSPI Arts team for meeting notifications.

Arts Education Newsletters

Past Newsletters