Program Highlight: The SmartStart Art Program

20 Jul Program Highlight: The SmartStart Art Program

Five years ago, the Miller Foundation provided grant funding for a unique program centered around building students’ ability to explore, innovate and apply new ideas. The SmartStart Art program at Stevenson Elementary, created and run by teacher Ms. Nica Rumion, began as a volunteer co-op in a vacant classroom and approached art in a way that allowed children to think critically, to connect with their environment and to view art as not only a medium of creativity but of change.

With the continued support of our foundation and others, the program expanded to the entire school, then to several elementary campuses, and is now a model art program for all Long Beach Unified elementary schools. With the passing of State Proposition 28 in November of 2022, funding was provided that allowed SmartStart to stand on its own. We are proud to have been a part of this phenomenal opportunity to increase access for all children to arts education.