Visual and Performing Arts
Why Visual and Performing Arts?
"The arts are a necessary and required component for all California students to develop as well-rounded, lifelong learners who contribute to the prosperity and quality of life for local and global communities. An education in the arts (dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts) develops engaged, creative, expressive, responsive, and artistically literate citizens.
Artistic literacy is the ability to understand, create, perform/present/produce, respond, and connect through the arts, and transfer knowledge and skills learned from authentic experiences in the arts that transcend historical, cultural, and societal contexts. Achieving literacy in the arts is joyful, inspirational, and creates a lifelong appreciation of the arts; it also prepares students for the twenty-first century workforce and plays a critical role in developing well-rounded citizens. A standards-based arts education in all five disciplines with equitable arts learning experiences available to all students furthers students’ academic goals, increases student engagement, enhances parent and community engagement, and improves school culture and climate." - California Arts Education Framework
Explore VAPA in MUSD
MUSD VAPA Events Calendar
VAPA in the News
![People sitting at tables facing a panel]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727823795/mantecausdnet/irwzxf68oyuygog26ewa/DSC_0569.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727823795/mantecausdnet/irwzxf68oyuygog26ewa/DSC_0569.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727823795/mantecausdnet/irwzxf68oyuygog26ewa/DSC_0569.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1727823795/mantecausdnet/irwzxf68oyuygog26ewa/DSC_0569.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1727823795/mantecausdnet/irwzxf68oyuygog26ewa/DSC_0569.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1727823795/mantecausdnet/irwzxf68oyuygog26ewa/DSC_0569.jpg","width":2200}])
What happens when legislative staff step beyond the Capitol walls and into the classrooms? On September 24-25, key education policy advisors visited Manteca Unified School District to learn directly from our education experts and experience the impactful programs offered within Manteca Unified.
![MUSD’s Music Program Celebrates Inclusivity, Collaboration, & Creativity]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683211304/mantecausdnet/gnfigk4gdd7x8kmgxdff/DSC_4383_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683211304/mantecausdnet/gnfigk4gdd7x8kmgxdff/DSC_4383_1.jpg","width":300}])
While the power of music is felt every day, March is recognized as “Music in Our Schools Month”. In honor of this year’s theme, “Music is All of Us”, we invited Manteca Unified’s Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) Coordinator Anthony Dahl to tell us more about the evolution of MUSD’s music program.
![Making a (Paint) Splash at MUSD’s Student Art Show]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683210742/mantecausdnet/a7yugvq96t2a8hgytxlc/ebfd3ea2-a90d-4323-bce8-74af216745f31.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683210742/mantecausdnet/a7yugvq96t2a8hgytxlc/ebfd3ea2-a90d-4323-bce8-74af216745f31.jpg","width":500}])
For the first time since the pandemic, the “Best of the Best” Student Art Show is back in a big way, with sky-high attendance numbers and hundreds of student-produced submissions from all MUSD high schools.
![students look at art]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1693238375/mantecausdnet/rztq5hqsfo6qmnrsnutt/792949f7-a627-4166-9fc1-de226748a06f.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1693238375/mantecausdnet/rztq5hqsfo6qmnrsnutt/792949f7-a627-4166-9fc1-de226748a06f.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1693238375/mantecausdnet/rztq5hqsfo6qmnrsnutt/792949f7-a627-4166-9fc1-de226748a06f.jpg","width":800}])
For the first time since the pandemic, the “Best of the Best” Student Art Show is back in a big way, with sky-high attendance numbers and hundreds of student-produced submissions from all MUSD high schools.
![Student plays instrument]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1693238407/mantecausdnet/dhieoqogylnw77g4dvju/da9b3ec8-2513-4bfa-a33f-ee4e6206d1ca.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1693238407/mantecausdnet/dhieoqogylnw77g4dvju/da9b3ec8-2513-4bfa-a33f-ee4e6206d1ca.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1693238407/mantecausdnet/dhieoqogylnw77g4dvju/da9b3ec8-2513-4bfa-a33f-ee4e6206d1ca.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1693238407/mantecausdnet/dhieoqogylnw77g4dvju/da9b3ec8-2513-4bfa-a33f-ee4e6206d1ca.jpg","width":999}])
Between group performances, students from the Black Student Union shared program notes about the musical pieces and African American figures who contributed to contemporary American music.
![Students receive music award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1693238441/mantecausdnet/elanpy1b67udipaddu9k/cf1abfe1-1bb2-4bee-9039-0558cb8baeeb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1693238441/mantecausdnet/elanpy1b67udipaddu9k/cf1abfe1-1bb2-4bee-9039-0558cb8baeeb.jpg","width":500}])
At the annual San Joaquin County High School Honors Concert, four exceptional students from Manteca Unified received the prestigious Nelson Zane Award!