Serving Our Region Through the Arts Since 1984
Because of supporters like you, Arts for the Schools delivered more than 40 assemblies and 50 hands-on arts classes during the 2025–2026 school year, connecting thousands of students with creativity, culture, and artistic opportunity.
In the 2025–2026 School Year, Arts for the Schools Brought the Arts Directly to Students Across Our Region
Because of the generosity of our sponsors, independent donors, dedicated board members, teachers, and community collaborators, AFTS was able to provide meaningful arts and cultural experiences to students throughout the Sierra and Tahoe region.
40+ School Assemblies Presented
15+ Artists & Cultural Bearers Featured
4 School Districts Served
1,000+ Square Miles Reached
From music and dance to visual arts and cultural programming, Arts for the Schools continues to inspire creativity, confidence, curiosity, and connection in the next generation.
Why It Matters.
Every student deserves access to creativity.
For the past year we’ve put our best foot forward, working to return Arts For The Schools to its core mission: ensuring every student, no matter their circumstances, has access to meaningful multicultural arts education.
We serve rural communities, creating experiences that connect students to culture, creativity, and the natural world through intentional, place-based programming.
Reflecting on THE school yeAR’S SUCCESSES
Red Hoop Singers (November)
We were honored to host the Red Hoop Singers, whose assembly offered a powerful and rare cultural experience for students. Featuring multigenerational performers sharing tradition side by side, the performance embodied the continuity of culture and community. The garments were stunning, each carrying deep cultural significance, and the dancers—many of whom are national award recipients—brought extraordinary artistry and pride to the stage. Featuring artists from tribes native to the land on which our schools sit, this experience created a meaningful and respectful connection to place, history, and living tradition.
Musical Field Journal Launch (January)
Arts For The Schools proudly co-launched a new Musical Field Journal, composed by Majel Connery and illustrated by Em Young, in partnership with Musica Sierra. Through a week of multidisciplinary assemblies where students experienced live music, movement, storytelling, and science woven together in a joyful, place-based learning environment. Joined by special guest Ranger Roberta Garcia, the program grounded students in environmental connection—using nature journaling and performance to deepen eco-literacy while supporting social and emotional learning in the classroom.
Freddy the Frog Tour (February)
Led by Brandon Greathouse, this new Musical Field Journal blends hip-hop and herpetology through original song cycles. Students learned the four fundamentals of hip-hop—MCing, DJing, breaking, and graffiti art—while exploring biodiversity through Freddy the Frog’s journey, featuring Lily Fay, B-Boy Morris, Matthew Flores, Super Dave, and DJ Great James.
What’s Next
We’re closing out the season with a celebration of DÃa de los Niños, with 6 assemblies confirmed and counting—bringing vibrant, culturally rich performances to students across the region.
From hip-hop to eco-literacy, every program is designed to meet students where they are and expand what’s possible. With your support, we can continue reaching more schools, more students, and more communities.
We are thrilled to welcome Juilliard alumna Lindsay McIntosh as Arts For The Schools’ new Executive Director. As a Truckee High graduate, McIntosh is eager to champion other students by bringing world‑class artistry, deep Tahoe roots, and experience building equitable, high‑impact programs in rural schools through Musica Sierra. Her experience as a student and educator uniquely positions her to expand meaningful arts access for our students, families and community as a whole. As director, she will be jumping in head first – deepening local partnerships and leveraging statewide funding to ensure accessibility to exciting arts experiences both in the classroom and out in our community. Welcome, Lindsay!