Our Impact: Pilot Year Summary (2024–25)
In our first pilot year, Spark! Creativity set out to ignite the creative potential of students in grades 4–12 across the Edmonds and Everett school districts. With a mission to make arts education accessible and equitable, we brought dynamic, hands-on programs in visual arts, ceramics, and creative writing directly into schools and community spaces—particularly in areas most impacted by arts education funding cuts.
Our approach centered on building creative confidence, personal expression, and leadership skills. Each program area was designed to meet students where they are—offering accessible entry points, culturally responsive content, and a safe space to explore their voices.
Visual Arts: Students engaged in drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and mixed media, learning not only artistic techniques but also how to use visual storytelling to reflect their identities and experiences.
Ceramics: Young artists worked with clay to create both functional and imaginative pieces. They learned patience, perseverance, and problem-solving as they explored texture, form, and structure in three dimensions.
Creative Writing: Through poetry, essays, and short stories, students discovered the power of the written word as a tool for self-expression, healing, and connection. Writing became a vehicle for processing emotion, reflecting on lived experiences, and building self-awareness.
These experiences did more than teach technical art skills—they opened doors to leadership, helped students overcome academic and social challenges, and gave many their first opportunity to feel seen, heard, and celebrated for their creativity. We've watched shy students become peer mentors, struggling learners take pride in completed work, and entire classrooms transform through the collective energy of creative exploration.
Looking Ahead: 2025–2028 Strategic Plan
With a successful pilot year behind us, Spark! Creativity is poised for thoughtful growth. In collaboration with INGWork Consulting, we’ve developed a three-year strategic plan focused on deepening our impact, expanding access, and strengthening the systems that support our mission.
This next phase will allow us to serve more students, especially those in Title I schools, while continuing to nurture youth leadership, forge strong community partnerships, and build organizational sustainability.
Strategic Priorities (2025–2028)
Expansion: Grow our programming into additional school sites, with a priority on Title I schools in the Edmonds and Everett school districts, where the need for accessible arts education is most urgent.
Student Impact: Launch a Youth Arts Leadership Intensive and establish a Youth Advisory Council to center student voice in program design and delivery, while offering leadership pathways for young creatives.
Community Engagement: Deepen partnerships with local artists, schools, and cultural organizations. We will also form an Arts Education Advisory Board to guide future programming and community collaboration.
Organizational Sustainability: Strengthen our internal capacity by hiring part-time program support staff by 2026, diversifying funding through grants, donors, and sponsorships, and adopting better tools to track impact and manage donor and volunteer engagement.