We are a select group of parents and community members appointed by the School Board of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) to advise them on matters pertaining to visual and performing arts education in all of the schools in our district. This advisory committee was created by the Board of Education in 1997 after music parents and teachers requested a district wide Music Task Force to advocate for the reinstatement of the district's K-5 Elementary General Music program and the Music Supervisor position (both eliminated in 1983 as a result of funding shortages after the passage of Prop 13).

Members are appointed to 3-year terms by the Board of Education according to Board Policy 1220. This policy and its accompanying Administrative Regulation, AR 1220 are included in the District’s online, searchable database.

The committee meets monthly and presents Mid-year and Year-end written reports to the Board of Education.  The public is invited to attend our publicly scheduled meetings. Teachers, students, parents, and community members are eligible to apply for VAPA DAC membership.

VAPA DAC Charges for 2024-25:

• Support a comprehensive preK-12 arts education program as an integral part of the core curriculum offered to all SMMUSD students, with dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts taught as discrete disciplines and integrated into other subject areas; as we align with and promote the Excellence through Equity Plan, which includes teaching cross-cultural and socio-emotional skills.
  
  
• Serve as a conduit for parents, teachers, students and community members to inform and make recommendations to the Board of Education on matters related to equitable access and successful participation in comprehensive, sequential, standards-based preK-12 arts education, while comparing the district’s curriculum, scheduling, staffing, instructional materials, equipment, and facilities with National and State standards and frameworks; as we align with and promote the Excellence through Equity Plan.
  
  
• Maintain the Board and District commitment to the adoption of a new 6-year SMMUSD Arts Education Strategic Plan. Review and advise this Plan to align with and promote the Excellence through Equity Plan.