Background & Philosophy

In the spring of 1995, parents explored interest in creating a foundation for the arts to support arts education in the San Mateo Union High School District schools.  The motivation for this undertaking came out of concern that the funding for arts education is declining and is insufficient for a viable and growing program, needed and deserved by our students and faculty.

All members of this Foundation recognize that an arts education is essential to the development of each child.  This understanding is expressed in the National Standards for Arts Education.

Research reported in Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind asserts the need for an arts education that addresses spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and naturalist patterns of learning.  In 1999,  as a result of their varied inquiries, James Catterall and other Champions of Change researchers, “found that learners can attain higher levels of achievement through their engagement with the arts.  Moreover, one of the critical research findings is that the learning in and through the arts can help ‘level the playing field’ for youngsters from disadvantaged circumstances.” These compelling findings,  combined with the passage of Goals 2000, federal legislation that acknowledges the teaching of arts as core subjects, inspires the Foundation to help ensure that San Mateo Union High School District students are provided a complete arts education.

In Concert

In Concert is the San Mateo Union High School District’s music “honors” program where students perform in either a jazz ensemble, string orchestra, chorus, or symphonic band.  For the last eight years, this concert series has been a collaborative effort among

• the high school district – featuring the talented young musicians of six mid-peninsula high schools
• the Foundation for the Fine & Performing Arts – a nonprofit organization advocating for arts education within the district

More than 2,100 high school musicians have benefited from In Concert.

The state budget crisis has forced the District to seek funding to sustain this wonderful program.  We need your help to continue to provide this quality musical experience that these young musicians deserve.