David Rodgers

Leap - Arts In Education

Leap provides quality arts education programs that empower students to reach their fullest potential. We envision a world where the arts are a valued and integral part of an extraordinary education for every child. Leap is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1979 in response to the passing of California Proposition 13, which dramatically reduced state funding for education and effectively eliminated the arts from public elementary schools. Leap served 180 children in one school in its first year with hands-on experiences in the arts. Encouraged by the positive changes witnessed in the pilot program and by an overwhelming response from the community, Leap expanded its programs and a dynamic group of teaching artists joined the Leap roster to provide innovative arts instruction in their specific area of expertise. Residencies took place in more schools with each passing year, and covered a wide range of artistic disciplines including architecture, painting, sculpture, creative writing, theater, music, and dance. Today, Leap is the largest Bay Area arts education provider, serving more than 30 schools and 8,000 students each year with valuable learning experiences in the arts that enhance their overall education and prepare them for future success in school and in their communities.