Carlsbad CA— ArtSplash, an annual community celebration for arts education taking place on September 26-27, 2015 on Armada Drive in Carlsbad, invites North County schools and teachers to apply for grants to fund arts and music programs taking place during school year 2015-16.

The application deadline is August 1, 2015. Recipients will be notified in early September.
Grant guidelines and applications are at www.carlsbadartsplash.org/Grant_Application.pdf.
For questions, call 760-436-2828.
To date, ArtSplash has contributed nearly $60,000 to school programs for diverse visual and performing arts and music programs. This year, grants typically in the $500-$700 range are funding 14 innovative and enriching programs for K-12 students within Carlsbad Unified School District, Encinitas Union School District, Oceanside Unified School District, San Dieguito Union High School District, San Marcos Unified School District and Vista Unified School District.
Neru Taupau of OUSD’s Mission Elementary School, who attends ArtSplash festivals and especially enjoys the chalk art, used his first-ever grant of $700 to buy instruments and materials for his fast-paced after-school music program that teaches first-, second- and third-graders how to play an instrument. The group has performed to applause and acclaim at many venues, including service organizations, a high school concert and outdoors at the Oceanside Farmers’ Market. Taupau relates, “We are so appreciative of ArtSplash for supporting our music program. You should see and hear our first-grade violinists!”
Another first-time recipient, EUSD’s Park Dale Lane Elementary School Principal Jodi Greenberger, used her grant to create a new courtyard with fountain and mosaic stepping stones that she says “aligns perfectly with our focus on arts-integrated learning.”

Longtime recipient Michele Breyer, Studio Art Teacher at SMUSD’s San Marcos Middle School, initiates unique annual projects that embellish the campus, celebrate the school’s Crusader spirit and introduce students to a wealth of creative efforts. Her advanced students used the most recent grant to create an homage to Georgia O’Keefe comprised of four 3D sculptures of larger-than-life flowers in Crusader maroon and gold. Breyer states, “We couldn’t have enjoyed this wonderful opportunity without the generous donation by ArtSplash. We, and many future Crusaders, owe ArtSplash a big THANKS!”
ArtSplash Chair Joni Miringoff says, “We owe Michele and all our awesome teachers a big thanks for inspiring their students to soar and succeed. Their efforts enable ArtSplash to fulfill its mission as a community celebration for arts education.”
Proceeds from ArtSplash 2015 will fund upcoming grants. This year’s theme is “A September to Remember,” featuring nationally renowned 3D street painting artist Tracy Lee Stum (www.tracyleestum.com). The theme celebrates the evolution of this free, family-oriented arts and entertainment festival, which is now in its 13^th year. The City of Carlsbad is once again Title Sponsor. Many grant recipients, such as student-artists from CUSD’s Valley Middle School and Sage Creek High School and Carlsbad High School dancers, participate and perform at ArtSplash.
The event is presently in the planning stages, but Miringoff promises, “We will present a magical blend of old favorites such as Fern Street Circus plus Tracy’s amazing artistry and new surprises. Of course, the ‘big draw’ remains the chalk art. You can watch huge, museum-quality replicas come to life on the street over the weekend, and for a few dollars, grab some chalk and create your own masterpiece.”
More information will be forthcoming at www.facebook.com/carlsbadartsplash and www.carlsbadartsplash.org.