Who We Are

 

WHS Art Show 2009 604 copy

In 1995 at parents’ request, the West Linn – Wilsonville School Board appointed a special task force to examine music programs in the state and in our district. A key recommendation made by the task force was to establish an independent support group in the district.

Five parents put $25 each into a hat to create Music Boosters and organized a partnership between parent advocates and the district to support arts in our schools. The first priority was to save the strings program in our primary schools.  In 1997 the name was changed to Music and Arts Partners to reflect our support for all arts programs, K-12.

Music and Arts Partners is an independent, volunteer, nonprofit organization made up of caring parents that works to fill the funding gaps for arts and music in the West Linn – Wilsonville school district and:

  • Bring exceptional support to the district’s art students and programs
  • Work to secure adequate resources for all arts programs in West Linn-Wilsonville Schools
  • Support and link arts educators
  • Provide a district-wide arts communication network
  • Develop partnerships with civic and business groups

As of June 2008 this completely volunteer organization has contributed approximately $440,000 to arts programs throughout the district.

Our most visible presence is the MAP concessions table at music and arts events, returning 90% of the profits directly back to your children’s individual school arts related programs. We also raise funds through membership donations, sales of Memory Blankets, and the “Dollars for the Arts” program which encourages each child in the district to donate $1 to the Arts each March.

MAP is also a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust, “preserving and strengthening Oregon’s culture”.  Through the dedicated efforts of our MAP grant writers, we receive awards from luminary foundations such as the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment of the Arts, Marie Lamfrom Foundation, Dorothea M. Lensch Fund, and Juan Young Trust.  These grants fund workshops, purchase musical instruments, furnish staging equipment for drama and art, sponsor large performance-based events, and bring professional artists-in-residence to the district to work with teachers and students.  And, MAP is especially proud to sponsor scholarships for graduating seniors who appreciate how much Music and the Arts enrich their education—today and tomorrow.