Our Mission
Children’s Creative Project sparks curiosity and cultivates creativity through inclusive arts education for students preschool to grade 12.
About Us
Children’s Creative Project is a unique program that brings together young people and professional artists, enabling children to develop artistic perception, creative expression, and an understanding of artists, the creative process, and historical and cultural arts heritage. Begun in 1974, the project now reaches 70,000-80,000 children annually during school hours and after school in more than 80 schools in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with visual and performing arts workshops conducted by resident artists and multicultural performances presented by professional touring artists.
CCP supports individual schools and school districts in creating programs that meet the needs and budgets through the program of resident artist workshops, artists provide sequential, participatory lessons in dance, theater, music, and visual arts, providing opportunities for creative expression, skill development, and joyful discovery. These workshops address California public schools' visual and performing arts content standards and can integrate the arts with other academic subject areas.
Our Vision for Arts Education
on the Central Coast
Children's Creative Project is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young minds through the transformative power of the arts. Our mission is to create a dynamic and inclusive space where young people and professional artists come together in collaborative exploration. Through innovative programs and immersive experiences, we empower children to discover the boundless possibilities of their imagination, nurturing a lifelong love for the arts. We believe in the inherent potential of every child to cultivate the following:
Artistic Perception
Creative Expression
Aesthetic Valuing
Historical and Cultural Arts Heritage
An Understanding of Artists and the Creative Process
50 Years of CCP:
97,570 hours of art instruction provided to students.
17,052 students have participated in our art programs.
63,525 unique school assembly experiences.
At the heart of our values is the conviction that artistic engagement enhances cognitive, emotional, and social development. By facilitating meaningful interactions with professional artists, we aim to inspire curiosity, instill confidence, and ignite a passion for lifelong learning. Together, we embark on a journey that transcends boundaries, cultivates diversity, and celebrates the unique contributions of every individual.
With unwavering commitment, Children's Creative Project strives to be a catalyst for positive change, creating a future where young minds flourish as confident, empathetic, and culturally aware individuals. Join us in building a world where the transformative power of the arts empowers every child to reach their full potential.
We are dedicated to the following:
To provide arts experiences for underserved children not normally exposed to the arts.
To include the visual and performing arts in a child's basic education.
“The arts play an integral role in contributing to the overall well-being of every child. Arts education engages students of all backgrounds and abilities by fostering creativity, developing critical thinking skills, and building empathy for others. These skills are transferable to various academic disciplines and are crucial in preparing our students for future careers in an ever-changing world.”
— Susan Salcido, Ed.D.
Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools
To collaborate with school districts, artists, and arts organizations to develop arts education programs.
To expand work opportunities for professional artists in the schools.
To develop funds to support arts education programs.
To provide workshops and performances that address the California State Department of Education Visual & Performing Arts Content Standards
Santa Barbara County Partnerships
A key strength of the Children’s Creative Project is its collaborative approach to arts education. By working closely with local school districts, CCP develops customized arts education plans that align with each district’s goals and the unique needs of its students. This partnership-based model helps ensure that arts programming is both meaningful and accessible.
Through these collaborations, CCP creates sustainable opportunities to integrate the arts into school curricula, expanding access to high-quality arts education while supporting student learning, creativity, and community engagement.
Professional Development for Educators
Children's Creative Project recognizes that teachers are central to delivering meaningful arts education and places a strong emphasis on professional development. In 2023, CCP partnered with the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92Y in New York City to provide dance education training for educators in partner schools within the Santa Barbara Unified School District. CCP also brought in professional development facilitators from across Southern California to lead workshops for arts educators in the Santa Maria-Bonita Unified School District and special education teachers in mid-Santa Barbara County, helping educators build confidence and expand their instructional practices.
By investing in teacher training, CCP strengthens the long-term sustainability of its arts education programs while fostering a culture of creativity and inclusion within schools. These professional development opportunities equip educators with practical strategies to integrate the arts into classroom instruction, enhancing student engagement and supporting meaningful learning experiences for diverse populations.
