Community School of Music and Arts

About CSMA Simply put, the Community School of Music and Arts ( CSMA ) provides Arts for All Since our founding in 1968, CSMA has grown to be the region's largest non-profit provider of arts education programs, reaching 40, 000+ people of all ages, skill levels and economic means every year. In 2004, CSMA opened its first permanent home at Finn Center, an award-winning facility providing lessons, classes, camps and workshops in music, visual and new media arts, as well as free concerts, exhibitions and special cultural events. In the community, CSMA provides arts-in-the-schools programs to 7, 500+ children at close to 30 schools throughout the region. CSMA is among the top 10 schools of its kind in the nation. Became one of 200+ schools accredited by National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. First permanent endowment for financial aid established with $180, 000 challenge grant from Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. Arts in Action & Music in Action named Mentor Programs by National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. Provided Tween Time after-school middle school programs in partnership with City of Mtn. View Mtn. View City Council provided city-owned land at San Antonio Circle for CSMA to lease ( 90 yrs. ) to build permanent home. Admin offices relocated to Grant Rd. ; instructional area remained at Martens Ave. Began "Quiet Phase" of Capital Campaign to build Silicon Valley's first Center for Music & Arts Education Paula Johanson named Interim Executive Director during Angela McConnell's pregnancy leave. CSMA partners for first time with San Jose Mercury News "Education in the Classroom" to bring 10 weeks of arts education lessons to thousands of children, classrooms & general public throughout Silicon Valley. CSMA publishes three booklets ( "Why Music & Arts Education?" ; messaging/advocacy ; student success stories ) as part of campaign to raise visibility for the importance of music and arts education for all ages. Website upgraded to showcase students and faculty and to focus on being an advocacy resource ( "speakup4arts" ). Dr. Nicholas Isaacs named CSMA's first-ever Music School Director, Emeritus, upon resigning after serving as director for 25 years. Assistant Director Mary Holmes appointed Music School Director. Executive Director Jeffry Walker leaves. Kathy Thibodeaux named Interim Executive Director. In-school program rebranding from Arts in Action and Music in Action to Art4Schools and Music4Schools arts4all A Non-Profit Organization Serving Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto & over 20 other Bay Area Communities since 1968 finn center230 san antonio circlemountain view, ca 94040650.917.6800fax 650.917.6813