VAPA Foundation

10/02/2026

APPLY NOW!!! Deadline Final Extension, Oct 5th.
Last chance to apply for the $1500 scholarship.

Larry Baza Arts Scholarship Guidelines and Application Application Open This grant has been established and provided by the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Foundation in memoriam of Larry T. Baza, […]

10/02/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED to Sunday, Oct 4 Midnight!
There's still time to apply to our Scholarship! Graduating SDUSD Seniors, be sure to submit your application and your Artist Work Samples for a chance to win a $1,500 Scholarship to help you pursue the arts after high school.

09/23/2026

💫 Hear it from parents! The best part of our Summer Camps is seeing students grow, discover new interests, and have fun along the way. Here's what one parent shared about their daughter's experience at Summer Sights and Sounds at Wilson Middle, with :

"We so appreciate this summer opportunity for our daughter... A very big thank you to the donors, organizers, and teachers for making this possible." –Maya

https://vapafoundation.org/summer-camp-2026/

09/18/2026

❤️ This is why we do what we do. Creating meaningful arts experiences for students is at the heart of our work—and hearing directly from families makes it even more special.

"This was a great program that helped my student build his self-confidence... he thanked me for encouraging him to participate. He loved the program."
–Diego, Beginning Musical Theater Workshop with

https://vapafoundation.org/summer-camp-2026/

09/16/2026

Have you heard? For the second year running, our Summer Camps were rated 4.9/5 stars from over 160 parent reviews. Here's what one parent said about Pink Polish Dance Camp at Bell Middle:

"My daughter loved every minute of the summer camp. She made friends and enjoyed her dance teachers! Thank you for making it a special experience."
–Shurkenda, Dance Sampler with Pink Polish Dance Studio


https://vapafoundation.org/summer-camp-2026/

09/14/2026

Summer Sights and Sounds Camp at Wilson Middle School: thanks for our biggest summer yet! 🎶🎸🎨🎭

This past June we held our Sixth Annual multi-arts camp at Wilson for SDUSD middle schoolers. From rocking out in Rock Band and building sets in Technical Theatre, to creating art in Visual Art and making music and memories in String Orchestra, Summer Sights and Sounds had something for all of our middle school artists.

Our biggest thanks to everyone who made this summer a blast, from our students, to our teachers, supporters, and community arts partners Art Reach SD, Old Globe Theatre, and T3 Triple Threat!


https://vapafoundation.org/summer-camp-2026/

09/11/2026

We love hearing from our families! Here's one parent's take on their son's Orchestra Camp experience at Challenger Middle:

"Amazing program with individual case by case teaching. I wish my son could do this every summer."
–Jayden, Orchestra Camp with San Diego Youth Symphony


https://vapafoundation.org/summer-camp-2026/

09/10/2026

For the second year running, our Summer Camps earned 4.9/5 stars from more than 160 parent reviews! Over the next few weeks, we're sharing some of the words that made us smile most.

Here's what one student had to say about their experience in Band and Orchestra Camp at Challenger Middle:

"My parents were out of words on the day of my performance. They have no words except praises to the music teachers. I am very thankful that I was enrolled here in VAPA!"
–Eliah, Band and Orchestra Camp with San Diego Youth Symphony

2026 Testimonials Thank you to everyone who joined us for our free summer camps this past summer! For the second year running, our Summer Camps were rated 4.9/5 Stars from […]

06/19/2026

Join us as we gather San Diego’s incredible community of artists, teaching artists, educators, schools, and arts partners to celebrate the close of the Sparx project and all that we made possible together. Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992019061637?aff=oddtdtcreator

Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, community connection, and a joyful evening at Cygnet Theatre’s beautiful new theatre space at Liberty Station.

We’ll be giving away five pairs of tickets to the evening performance of SpongeBob the Musical during the happy hour! Don’t miss it!

Space is limited and registration is required.

Come celebrate the creativity, care, and collaboration that brought Sparx to life.

05/26/2026

🚨 URGENT: Mariachi Summer Camp Enrollment Is Open! 🚨

Do you know a student who just finished 7th or 8th grade at a San Diego Unified School District school?

This Mariachi Camp is open to continuing violin, guitar, trumpet, and singing/vocal students who want to grow their music skills this summer.

Students will learn and practice:

🎻 Violin, guitar, and trumpet skills
🎤 Mariachi vocals and performance
🎶 Songs, chords, scales, bass lines, and vocal exercises
✍️ Songwriting, lyrics, music theory, and notation
🤝 Collaboration, teamwork, and ensemble playing

Students should have some experience with violin, trumpet, guitar, or singing and bring their own instrument checked out from their school music department for the summer.

A valid SDUSD student ID number is required for final enrollment.

This camp is a great opportunity for students to build confidence, connect with Mariachi music, and learn from kind, experienced teachers in a fun and supportive environment.

Spots may be limited — enroll as soon as possible!

This Mariachi camp for continuing Violin, Guitar, and Trumpet Players and Singing/Vocals. It is open to all students who just finished 7th or 8th grade during the 2025-2026 school year at a San Diego Unified School District school. A valid student ID number is required for final enrollment.