Starting Arts Programs and Services

Starting Arts Programs and Services offers dance, theatre, music, and visual arts through classes, workshops, and productions. The program includes musical theatre training, as well as support activities such as costume assistance, painting and building, loading in or loading out sets for bigger productions, and event or fundraiser help. All programs are taught by professional artists.

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Starting Arts Programs and Services is part of Starting Arts, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization with a mission to make the arts accessible to all students in the Bay Area. Founded in 2000, Starting Arts is in the year of its 25th anniversary and notes 25 years of partnering with the community. The organization has delivered educational arts programming to 40,000 TK–12 grade students in 125 schools across 18 school districts, with 90% of “Starting Arts schools” retaining instructional programs year over year. Its work includes a focus on supporting under-served youth in Title 1 schools and has expanded from grass roots programming to stewardship of the Shared Arts Center of San Jose as a self-sustaining arts facility. Community involvement includes partnering arts organizations in San Jose and communities across Santa Clara County, volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and a capital campaign connected to the Shared Arts Center of San Jose. Additional offerings include summer productions for two age groups in 2026 and costume, prop, and set rentals based on availability.

Last updated March 22, 2026.