Welcome to Marin School of the Arts! We are excited to be starting our third year of operations and look forward to another highly successful year.

As most of you know, MSA was started with the goal of enabling talented and creative high school students to pursue their passion in the arts, while providing a high quality education. With the combined support and involvement of parents, administrators and teachers, we have already made tremendous strides in accomplishing this goal.

In addition to our many organizational achievements over the past two years, our students gained recognition and respect through their work at festivals and events. Film, drama and music students brought home numerous awards, earning rankings ahead of hundreds of more established high school arts programs in the seven Western states. Some of the additional highlights from last year include:

• Performing Arts Center & Gallery - A fully functional center renovated from the former Lecture Hall
• Dance Program -- MSA's newest arts program kicks off after 2-years of hard work to obtain approval
• Program funding - 2005-6 Dance, Film & Video and Vocal programs funded by MSA Grants
• Events - Launched MSA's first benefit - the Fiesta del Arte - and increased awareness among Marin County movers and shakers plus expanded the MSA Student Showcase to the Osher JCC
• Student Enrollment - MSA's student population totals 216 students, a net gain of 96 new students, including many from outside the district, bringing in much needed funding to NUSD!
• Fundraising -- We raised over $40,000 from parent grants and spent 100% for the benefit of students.

For those who attended the MSA Orientation, you heard how critical it is to have not only participation from our MSA families, but financial support as well. To continue our positive momentum, we ask each family to make a financial contribution of $600 through a tax-deductible Family Grant. Because MSA does not receive any additional funding to support its programs, we rely heavily on these grants to help teachers provide the level of quality our students needs and deserve. Your grant will be used to pay for on-going programs and operations, and help ensure that MSA can continue to sustain its growth, including:

• Help raise educational standards
• Purchase essential and much needed equipment, materials and supplies
• Enable critical renovations to the music, art and video rooms
• Support the teachers, programs and ongoing classroom operations
• Provide administrative support for MSA teachers and families

This grant can be made in one payment spread across the academic year. Keep in mind that this contribution of $60 per month is far less than a private school education, and about equivalent to one private tutoring or arts lesson per month. We ask that you make your Family Grant no later than September 30th so we can begin moving ahead on our plans for the year. Click here to make your donation by check or credit card. If you are unable to make your donation at this time, please visit the MSA web site to make your donation at a later time.

The MSA students, faculty, and Board of Directors sincerely thank you for your help!