Creative Connections

Creative Connections sends outstanding scholars, majoring in the arts at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, into Orange County area K12 classrooms to conduct visual and performing arts projects and workshops that integrate the arts with core curriculum. The program helps to fill the arts gap for Orange County area schools and school districts which may offer little or no arts education programs.

Scholars are current undergraduate and graduate students studying the arts. They are selected via a competitive application process in which they propose a project that is reviewed by faculty and staff for content and compatibility with the Common Core Standards and the Visual and Performing Arts Standards for the State of California. Selected scholars are mentored by UCI arts faculty, and receive resources and training in curriculum planning, classroom management and assessment. Scholars may receive either credit or a stipend for completing a Creative Connections project. The Creative Connections program may be used to fulfill the internship requirement for the Minor in Civic and Community Engagement.

Educators in Schools and School Districts in the Greater Orange County area are eligible to apply to be a part of the Creative Connections Program. There is NO FEE to participate, the Creative Connections program is entirely grant funded and is FREE to schools and school districts. Educators selected to participate in the program will collaborate with Scholars to ensure the project conducted complements the common core curriculum, addresses the Visual and Performing Arts Standards, and generally fits the needs of the classroom educator.

Projects and Workshops are developed collaboratively with the Classroom Educators, UCI Faculty Mentors and Creative Connections Scholars. Projects provide sustained access to arts education and may span an entire school-year. Scholars will complete and submit a project report at the culmination of the project. The project timeline may be:

Past Projects and Workshops

Apply to be a Creative Connections Scholar by completing and submitting an application. Deadline to submit Scholar applications has passed. Check back here in Fall 2013 when we will launch the 2013-14 application period. Thank you for your interest!

Apply to be a Creative Connections Classroom Educator by completing and submitting an application. Deadline to submit Educator applications has passed. Check back here in Fall 2013 when we will launch the 2013-14 application period. Thank you for your interest!

Please note, we do our best to match the interests of the Scholars with the needs of Classroom Educators, because of this, we may not be able to partner all Scholars with Educators.

What do Scholars and Educators say about Creative Connections?

"From ribbon dances to operas, UCI students have opened our school students' eyes to fine arts. Thank you." -- Chriss Ann Shane, Principal, Irvine School District

"I am really impressed with the program. My students are learning about science, English, and much, much more. The kids love it!" --Sehra Dastur, Teacher, Santa Ana Unified School District

"The only way I can describe my experience with my dance mentor is that it was LIFE-CHANGING!...I would not have had the success in my college applications and auditions if it weren't for the support of the School of the Arts - and now I'll be entering UCI as a freshman next fall!" --Aubrienne O'Meara, UCI Drama/Dance, Class of 2015