After a decade of bringing quality arts education programs to children throughout Santa Barbara County, the Incredible Children’s Art Network on Monday announced the closure of all programs by the end of the 2016-2017 school year. Over the last 12 months, iCAN has been working to transition its direct delivery…
News
iCAN Ends Visual Arts, Music Programs for Santa Barbara Students
iCAN is ending its visual arts and music programs this month and transitioning to a charitable family foundation, the Incredible Children’s Art Network announced Monday. However, visual arts programs at Santa Barbara Unified School District elementary schools will continue through a co-investment partnership…
For art’s and youth’s sake

In an era of ongoing leanness and challenge in arts education in the public schools, and budget cutbacks affecting arts and humanities, hopeful signs and resourceful thinking still abound, as seen in an upcoming pact in the local arts education community. Call it a convergence of two powerful acronyms. In the 2016-17 school…
iCAN State of the Art

As it expands to all 10 elementary schools in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, the Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) is also taking a giant step back from its financial support of the distinguished visual arts program it launched, grew, and sustained for 10 years entirely through private funding. Starting…
Leading the Way for Children’s Visual and Performing Arts
Half way into my son’s first year of Kindergarten, I’ve developed an interest in his arts education. As the Sentinel’s Visual and Performing Arts writer, I hold the arts to be a major part of a child’s learning process, not as a skill to make something pretty, but as an essential element in developing the creative thinking necessary…
Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department Appoints Jill Zachary Director
After conducting a nationwide recruitment, the Santa Barbara City Council has confirmed the City administrator’s appointment of Jill Zachary as Parks and Recreation director. Selected from 73 candidates, she was serving as the interim director following the retirement of Nancy Rapp. As Parks and Recreation director…
Aha! Presents About Education Radio Program
Aha!’s “About Education” radio show featuring iCAN’s Executive Director, Jeffry Walker, introducing the organization and an accompanying performance of “Boogy Woogie” by iCAN student musicians. View on iTunes
Towned – Radio Interview with Jeffry Walker
Meet the executive director of this fantastic arts organization. Jeffry Walker describes how they have systematically taken up the slack of arts education in elementary schools in Santa Barbara. iCAN deliveries arts education to over 3000 students. More information at their website icansbc.org.
Parent Funding at Public Schools a Must

One recent Thursday, several 6th grade parents at Franklin Elementary School poured nacho cheese over corn chips as kids wearing backpacks formed a long line. Half a dozen or so parents spend many hours every week prepping for these sales, which are just one of the Eastside school’s creative and decidedly labor-intensive…
iCAN Music Program Develops Instruments for Success for Students — and Their Families

A unique approach to arts education and community engagement nurtured by the nonprofit iCAN (incredible Children’s Art Network), has influenced 3,000 budding artists and musicians — an incredible story told both visually and with sound and tone. Performance is a highly valued component of the iCAN Music Program…