Encinitas Unites in Support of Arts Education: First Annual Encinitas Arts Festival

The City of Encinitas Commission for the Arts is celebrating the critical role the arts play in our schools and community by presenting the First Annual Encinitas Arts Festival on Saturday, May 5,  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive.

This year’s theme, “Passport to the Arts”, will offer dance, theatre and music performances on two stages by students and professionals, dance and hands-on art workshops, student visual art exhibits, performance art, an outdoor drum circle and a PTA showcase. The festival is free of charge. Mayor Jerome Stocks and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Baird will launch the festival on May 5 at 10 a.m.

“Encinitas is a city filled with art and artists. An arts festival is an important way to showcase student and professional talent and celebrate their artistic accomplishments,” said Jim Gilliam, Arts Administrator for the city.

The festival will feature 23 performances including the North Coast Symphony, Olivenhain Pioneer Honor Choir, Intrepid Shakespeare, West Coast Martial Arts, Glitter Dance Company, Ocean Knoll Dolphin Sounds and Connections Chamber Music and Peter Sprague. For the full schedule, visit the City’s website, www.encinitasca.gov.

A main focus of the festival to highlight arts education in Encinitas public and private schools. “Research shows that the arts are vital to student success. Arts education is linked to higher test scores across all subjects, as well as lower dropout rates. It fosters creativity and imagination, hallmarks of careers in the 21st century. Beyond the classroom, the arts are shown to nurture collaboration and civic engagement in young people,” Dr. Baird said.

Encinitas Alliance for Arts Education (EAAE) is part of the California Alliance for Arts Education (CAAE) which intends to raise awareness among state, county and local elected officials about the essential value of arts education in our schools.

“We want the community to experience learning in the arts first-hand to better understand why all students need arts education,” said Sandra Jordan, EAAE Coordinator. This festival supports the grassroots effort by CAAE to bring back the arts to California’s students. Other festival partners include the Encinitas Theatre Consortium, Very Special Arts California (VSA), the Encinitas Union School District, and Remo Drums Inc.

To register for the 6 dance workshops, visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/ and enter Encinitas Arts Festival.

For more information, please contact Jim Gilliam, Arts Administrator, (760) 633-2746,  jgilliam@encinitasca.gov.