Lindsey Kunisaki: Arts and Music Education for All

UCLA Arts alumna, emerging researcher, and education evaluation specialist Lindsey Kunisaki ‘15 joins Works In Progress to discuss what initially drew her to the arts, what she gained from her time in UCLA’s Visual and Performing Arts Education (VAPAE) program, the importance of culturally sustaining pedagogy, and California Proposition 28, the largest investment in arts and music in our nation’s history.

Lindsey is the Research and Evaluation Specialist for VAPAE, which is situated in the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture. VAPAE provides undergraduates with the option to minor in arts education. Its mission is to prepare the next generation of culturally equitable arts educators, bringing inclusive arts education to Los Angeles schools and communities.

Each year, VAPAE’s undergraduate student teachers provide arts instruction for about 600 local K-12 students. To date, over 200 emerging teaching artists have graduated with a VAPAE minor to pursue a range of creative careers.

Lindsey Kunisaki discusses what initially drew her to the arts with Works In Progress. (Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)

Lindsey earned her Ed.M. (Master of Education) in Arts in Education at Harvard University and her B.A. in an individual major in the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture with a VAPAE minor. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in education at Claremont Graduate University. Her research focuses on cultural equity in lifelong creativity development in out-of-school learning communities.

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Header image: Lindsey Kunisaki joins Works In Progress to discuss arts and music education. (Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)