San Mateo County Creates

San Mateo County Creates Arts Council

The San Mateo County Creates Arts Council is a new initiative to foster collaboration, share best practices, and support strategic arts education planning across the county.

Its goals are to build community, support educational arts leadership and strategic arts planning, share best practices, organize county-wide events and collaborations, and provide updates, vision, and best practices for Prop 28/Arts Ed funding. Members meet regularly throughout the school year to build on their discussion and support each other in their work to lift arts education across the county.

During the 2024-25 school year, the Council and the County Office of Education are sponsoring several events to engage students in the arts.

San Mateo County Student Arts Opportunities

SamTrans Art Takes a Bus Ride Contest

Artwork Due December 20, 5:00 p.m.

Showcase the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of San Mateo County and how SamTrans brings people together through the Art Takes a Bus Ride contest, an annual art competition for San Mateo County students grades 1 through 12.

The theme for the 2024-25 school year is Connecting our Community with SamTrans. Students are invited to create art highlighting local landmarks and everyday moments that illustrate the unity and shared experiences of riding public transportation, connecting everyone in our community. Artwork must be original and created by students only.

Access the competition guidelines in and .

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Poster and Poetry Contest

Applications due October 18

Students are invited to participate in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day poster and poetry contest! This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their creativity while honoring Ruby's legacy of courage and equity. .

Poetry Out Loud

County competition will take place on February 4, 2025

Poetry Out Loud (POL) inspires in high school students and teens the confidence to make themselves heard, using one of the most powerful tools at their disposal—poetry. It encourages teens to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Participants master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.

Student Arts Showcases

The County Office of Education is proud to present a series of digital arts showcases that highlight the incredible talent and creativity of TK-12th grade students across our county. These showcases will feature student work in all five art forms: dance, theater, music, visual arts, and media arts.

This project celebrates and uplifts student voices, fosters artistic expression, and provides a platform where students can share their work with the broader community. Through these showcases, we aim to inspire future artists and ensure that the arts remain a vital part of every student's educational experience.

Explore each of the five sections below, which include submission requirements, judging criteria, important dates, and other information for each showcase.

The Arts at 51�Թ� invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit videos of themselves performing either instrumental or choral music of any style (school-appropriate selections only, please). This is an online contest only.

Submission Requirements:
1. Submissions can be solo performances or group performances (with 2 or more participants).
2. All music genres from all cultures and in all languages are welcome.
3. Please ensure the audio is clear with minimal background noise, and the lighting is bright enough to see the student performer(s).
4. All entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-grade 8 students. High School students may self-submit.
5. Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.
Judging Criteria:
- Technical Accuracy
- Musical Expression
- Interpretation and Style
- Creativity and Originality
Important Dates to Remember:
- Monday, December 16, 2024: Google Form Opens at 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday, January 5, 2025: Google Form Closes at 5:00 p.m.
- Week of January 20, 2025: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.
Age Categories:
- Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
- 1st–2nd Grade
- 3rd–4th Grade
- 5th–6th Grade
- 7th–8th Grade
- High School
Prizes:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will receive medals.
All winning entries will be featured on the SMCOE Arts event webpage.

Note: Medals will be awarded to solo submission winners and ensembles of 6 or fewer students. For larger ensembles (more than 6 students), a group medal will be given. This applies to music, dance, film, and theater entries. All visual art entries should be solo submissions.
The Arts at 51�Թ� invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit original artworks of any theme (school-appropriate selections only, please). This is an online contest only.

Submission Requirements:
1. All visual art mediums are welcome. There are no size restrictions.
2. Please submit a clear, complete photograph or scan of the artwork.
3. No coloring sheets will be accepted.
4. All work must be original and not a copy of another artist's work or a trademarked image.
5. Entries will be judged by arts professionals, and their decisions are final.
6. All submissions should be entered by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
7. Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each student may submit up to five entries.
Judging Criteria:
- Technical Skill and Craftsmanship
- Artistic Expression
- Creativity and Originality
- Composition and Design
Important Dates to Remember:
- Monday, January 13, 2025: Google Form Opens at 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday, January 26, 2025: Google Form Closes at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 3, 2025: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.
Age Categories:
- Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
- 1st–2nd Grade
- 3rd–4th Grade
- 5th–6th Grade
- 7th–8th Grade
- High School
Prizes:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will receive medals.
All winning entries will be featured on the SMCOE Arts event webpage.

Note: Medals will be awarded to solo submission winners and ensembles of 6 or fewer students. For larger ensembles (more than 6 students), a group medal will be given. This applies to music, dance, film, and theater entries. All visual art entries should be solo submissions.
The Arts at 51�Թ� invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit recorded dances of any style or genre (school-appropriate selections only, please). Dances can be solo or performed in groups.

Submission Requirements:
1. Please ensure the background music is clearly audible in the recording, and the lighting is bright enough to see the student(s).
2. No dance studio submissions will be considered; only individual student performances or classroom dance numbers are eligible.
3. Costumes are optional, but will be considered as part of the overall judging criteria.
4. Videos should be no longer than ONE MINUTE, so please choose your music accordingly. Partial routines are acceptable.
5. This is an online contest only. Entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
6. Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.
Judging Criteria:
- Technical Skill
- Artistic Expression
- Choreographic Creativity
- Musicality and Rhythmic Accuracy
Important Dates to Remember:
- Monday, February 10, 2025: Google Form Opens at 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday, February 23, 2025: Google Form Closes at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 3, 2025: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.
Age Categories:
- Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
- 1st–2nd Grade
- 3rd–4th Grade
- 5th–6th Grade
- 7th–8th Grade
- High School
Prizes:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will receive medals.
All winning entries will be featured on the SMCOE Arts event webpage.

Note: Medals will be awarded to solo submission winners and ensembles of 6 or fewer students. For larger ensembles (more than 6 students), a group medal will be given. This applies to music, dance, film, and theater entries. All visual art entries should be solo submissions.
The Arts at 51�Թ� invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit recorded monologues or scenes from any age-appropriate material. (school-appropriate selections only, please). Performances can be solo or in groups.

Submission Requirements:
- Ensure that the recording has minimal background noise and that the lighting is bright enough for the student(s) to be seen clearly.
- Submissions are only open to individual students or classroom theater groups; after-school or private theater troupes are not eligible.
- Costumes are optional, but they will be considered in the overall judging.
- Videos must be no longer than ONE MINUTE in length. Submissions may include an excerpt of a longer monologue or scene.
- This is an online contest only. Entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
- Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.
Judging Criteria:
1. Characterization
2. Voice and Diction
3. Physical Expression and Movement
4. Emotional Depth
5. Staging and Spatial Awareness
Important Dates to Remember:
- Monday, March 17, 2025: Google Form Opens at 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday, March 30, 2025: Google Form Closes at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 7, 2025: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.
Age Categories:
- Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
- 1st–2nd Grade
- 3rd–4th Grade
- 5th–6th Grade
- 7th–8th Grade
- High School
Prizes:

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will receive medals.
All winning entries will be featured on the SMCOE Arts event webpage.

Note: Medals will be awarded to solo submission winners and ensembles of 6 or fewer students. For larger ensembles (more than 6 students), a group medal will be given. This applies to music, dance, film, and theater entries. All visual art entries should be solo submissions.
The Arts at 51�Թ� invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit short videos or films about any school-appropriate topic. Films can be created solo or in groups.

Submission Requirements:
- Recordings should have minimal background noise, and the lighting must be bright enough to clearly see the student(s).
- Films can be submitted by individual students (who may work with family members or fellow students) or classroom groups. After-school or private film programs are not eligible.
- The maximum film length is ONE MINUTE. This can include excerpts from a longer project.
- This is an online contest only. Entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
- Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.
Judging Criteria:
1. Storytelling
2. Originality and Creativity
3. Technical Elements
4. Performance and Directing
5. Production Quality
Important Dates to Remember:
- Monday, April 14, 2025: Google Form Opens at 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday, April 27, 2025: Google Form Closes at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 5, 2025: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.
Age Categories:
- Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
- 1st–2nd Grade
- 3rd–4th Grade
- 5th–6th Grade
- 7th–8th Grade
- High School
Prizes:

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will receive medals.
All winning entries will be featured on the SMCOE Arts event webpage.

Note: Medals will be awarded to solo submission winners and ensembles of 6 or fewer students. For larger ensembles (more than 6 students), a group medal will be given. This applies to music, dance, film, and theater entries. All visual art entries should be solo submissions.

Allison Gamlen

Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts

Email: agamlen@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5335

Kylie Carpenter

Administrative Assistant

Email: kcarpenter@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5404

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