Visual and Performing Arts
The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Office works to ensure that all students experience schools that nurture their sense of joy and curiosity, honor their identities, and provide an outlet for creative expression.
At the OUSD VAPA Office we:
- Supervise a certificated staff of elementary music and dance teachers serving all OUSD public elementary schools
- Manage the Arts Incentive Grant (AIG) to support community arts partnerships
- Advise principals around new Prop 28 funding options for their school
- Convene teacher networks of visual arts, music, dance and drama teachers
- Co-facilitate monthly meetings with community arts partners
- Support summer arts and music learning efforts for students
- Coordinate yearly music festivals and support events that showcase young artists and performers
Help ensure equitable access to the arts by supporting us through the Oakland Public Education fund!
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Announcements
- April 2025: Celebrate Arts, Culture and Creativity Month with upcoming OUSD events
- March 2025: Exhibitions, Expos, and More Creative Ways to Engage this Spring
- February 2025: Connect in Community During Lunar New Year and Black Futures Month
- January 2025: Kicking Off 2025 with Creative Inspiration
- Past Newsletters
April 2025: Celebrate Arts, Culture and Creativity Month with upcoming OUSD events
March 2025: Exhibitions, Expos, and More Creative Ways to Engage this Spring
February 2025: Connect in Community During Lunar New Year and Black Futures Month
January 2025: Kicking Off 2025 with Creative Inspiration
Past Newsletters
Upcoming Events
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Visual and Performing Arts Team
![Kehinde Salter]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741979548/ousdorg/wkvresnjeufxkiyrzzfp/2025KehindeSalter_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741979548/ousdorg/wkvresnjeufxkiyrzzfp/2025KehindeSalter_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741979548/ousdorg/wkvresnjeufxkiyrzzfp/2025KehindeSalter_1.jpg","width":798}])
Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Coordinator
![Adam Schraft]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723220373/ousdorg/ji1wqkqj4co2rwvktubc/adam-schraft-2.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723220373/ousdorg/ji1wqkqj4co2rwvktubc/adam-schraft-2.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1723220373/ousdorg/ji1wqkqj4co2rwvktubc/adam-schraft-2.webp","width":800}])
Teacher on Special Assignment, Elementary Music
![Aimee Espiritu]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699804814/ousdorg/nvkiryvcjrpsiedcf5uq/aimee_espiritu.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699804814/ousdorg/nvkiryvcjrpsiedcf5uq/aimee_espiritu.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699804814/ousdorg/nvkiryvcjrpsiedcf5uq/aimee_espiritu.jpg","width":800}])
Consultant, Arts Incentive Grant Program Officer
![Crystal Barajas-Barr]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699805904/ousdorg/r4kb6wedpdh0fv9hd5a5/crystal-barajas-barr.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699805904/ousdorg/r4kb6wedpdh0fv9hd5a5/crystal-barajas-barr.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1699805904/ousdorg/r4kb6wedpdh0fv9hd5a5/crystal-barajas-barr.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1699805904/ousdorg/r4kb6wedpdh0fv9hd5a5/crystal-barajas-barr.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1699805904/ousdorg/r4kb6wedpdh0fv9hd5a5/crystal-barajas-barr.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699805904/ousdorg/r4kb6wedpdh0fv9hd5a5/crystal-barajas-barr.jpg","width":1776}])
Teacher on Special Assignment, Visual Art
![Emily Ban]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699823838/ousdorg/bo8lrz7b0zi5zhvvh6n5/emily-ban.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699823838/ousdorg/bo8lrz7b0zi5zhvvh6n5/emily-ban.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699823838/ousdorg/bo8lrz7b0zi5zhvvh6n5/emily-ban.jpg","width":756}])
Teacher on Special Assignment, Dance
![Indi McCasey]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699805253/ousdorg/wy9zteaoufudqxnipmuz/indi-mccasey.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699805253/ousdorg/wy9zteaoufudqxnipmuz/indi-mccasey.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699805253/ousdorg/wy9zteaoufudqxnipmuz/indi-mccasey.jpg","width":800}])
Consultant, Communications
![Jamie Treacy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723219401/ousdorg/mrauopw1yxcofz1xwqdf/2022-09-17-Jaime-Treacy-0927a-scaledjpgcopy.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723219401/ousdorg/mrauopw1yxcofz1xwqdf/2022-09-17-Jaime-Treacy-0927a-scaledjpgcopy.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1723219401/ousdorg/mrauopw1yxcofz1xwqdf/2022-09-17-Jaime-Treacy-0927a-scaledjpgcopy.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1723219401/ousdorg/mrauopw1yxcofz1xwqdf/2022-09-17-Jaime-Treacy-0927a-scaledjpgcopy.png","width":1024}])
CTE Coach- Arts, Media & Entertainment
![Nick Kanozik]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723229365/ousdorg/xeq5eerzzdmak6lxzylq/0S3A0360.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723229365/ousdorg/xeq5eerzzdmak6lxzylq/0S3A0360.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1723229365/ousdorg/xeq5eerzzdmak6lxzylq/0S3A0360.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1723229365/ousdorg/xeq5eerzzdmak6lxzylq/0S3A0360.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1723229365/ousdorg/xeq5eerzzdmak6lxzylq/0S3A0360.jpg","width":1495}])
Prop 28 Grants Manager
![Phil Rydeen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699805201/ousdorg/grn8mx9y8pfwnaafibx4/phil-rydeen.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699805201/ousdorg/grn8mx9y8pfwnaafibx4/phil-rydeen.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699805201/ousdorg/grn8mx9y8pfwnaafibx4/phil-rydeen.jpg","width":800}])
Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Director
![Sarah Willner]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699805180/ousdorg/bbzank9qxvujhlu0tj5h/sarah-willner.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699805180/ousdorg/bbzank9qxvujhlu0tj5h/sarah-willner.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699805180/ousdorg/bbzank9qxvujhlu0tj5h/sarah-willner.jpg","width":800}])
Teacher on Special Assignment, Music and VAPA Support
![Susie Lundy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699823889/ousdorg/phbajyrpz94uwpfeuqzx/susie-lundy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699823889/ousdorg/phbajyrpz94uwpfeuqzx/susie-lundy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699823889/ousdorg/phbajyrpz94uwpfeuqzx/susie-lundy.jpg","width":756}])
Consultant, Arts Incentive Grant Program Officer
![alt-text]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699805805/ousdorg/ryfdcgaau9dui2glnt4w/zachary-pitt-smith.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699805805/ousdorg/ryfdcgaau9dui2glnt4w/zachary-pitt-smith.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1699805805/ousdorg/ryfdcgaau9dui2glnt4w/zachary-pitt-smith.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1699805805/ousdorg/ryfdcgaau9dui2glnt4w/zachary-pitt-smith.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1699805805/ousdorg/ryfdcgaau9dui2glnt4w/zachary-pitt-smith.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699805805/ousdorg/ryfdcgaau9dui2glnt4w/zachary-pitt-smith.jpg","width":1776}])
Teacher on Special Assignment, Secondary Performing Arts