DSAF was founded by Patricia Hershberger in 1981 in the wake of the Gann Initiative which eliminated funding for arts programs in the elementary public schools. Ms. Hershberger had the idea to restore arts funding to the public schools by raising money through a matching funds foundation. The foundation would donate money to the district as long as the district matched that money with funds of its own. In the summer of 1981, this unique community-district partnership was formed. Ms. Hershberger assembled seven other like-minded people, and the Davis School Arts Foundation was born. It has since been, and continues to be, only through the generous contributions of members in the private and business community of Davis that the DSAF and the DJUSD are able to keep the arts available to all students in our public schools.
Most recently DSAF has funded the Davis Art Center Art Kit for all 5th grade students, supported the Education Through Music Support for 4th grade students and made site grants available to all elementary schools in the Davis Joint Unified School District. We continue to explore how we can provide quality art education equitably throughout the school district, support teachers and encourage a love of art for all students.
Arts and cultural education is crucial to the development of all children. The Davis School Arts Foundation provides partnership and support of culturally relevant arts education for children in Davis public schools. We do this through project grants, advocacy and arts integration training for educators.
Specific targeted grants.
School-specific site grants.
Program expenses.
The Davis School Arts Foundations believes:
• Children are innately creative and their creativity needs to be nurtured.
• Teachers need tools to bring out creativity.
• Teachers need to be given support with curriculum (not have to create it themselves – it should be built into Professional Development).
• Teachers need to understand the cultural backgrounds of their students – cultural empathy.
• Art education is for all children.
• Art should be fun.
• Equity (cultural relevancy) is essential – art can be used to support healthy identities, self-worth and community.
• Arts and cultural education gives students fundamental skills – 21st century skills.
Organization name
Davis School Arts Foundation
other names
DSAF
1981
Mission Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted, Funding: Program
Demographics Served
Youth & Children
Local Counties Served
Yolo
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
2230 Lassen PlaceOther
PO Box 4203Davis, CA, US