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Parents and community form North Shore Visual Art Partners, urge restoration of art positions
Summary
Community members and PTA leaders told the North Shore School District board that cuts to visual‑arts staff and coordinator positions have reduced access to arts education and announced a new volunteer coalition to advocate for visual arts across the district.
Holly Munchow, vice president of advocacy for North Shore Council PTSA, announced at the Jan. 13 working session that a new volunteer group, North Shore Visual Art Partners, has formed to support districtwide visual arts education.
"It is made up of students, staff, families, and community organizations who have joined together to support, celebrate, and advocate for every student's access to visual art education," Munchow said during the association and public comment segment.
Nicole Dibble, a North Shore parent and visual‑arts education advocate, told the board the district’s visual arts program has already experienced cuts and uneven staffing decisions. She said last year’s reductions affected elementary access and that Bothell High School experienced uneven course cuts after a retirement.
Dibble described the districtwide art show last March, which displayed more than 200 student works at the district administrative building, and urged the board to consider a staff position such as an arts coordinator to sustain exhibitions and equitable programming across schools. She cited neighboring districts that maintain visual and performing arts coordinators or equivalent roles.
Munchow encouraged PTA members and community advocates to participate in upcoming meetings: the North Shore Council PTSA advocacy coalition, grant deadlines and the North Shore Visual Art Partners meeting scheduled for Jan. 28.
Board members acknowledged the group and the speakers and noted logistical steps and future opportunities for community engagement. No board action was taken at the Jan. 13 meeting.
