Summary
Organization name
Coastal Arts League
Tax id (EIN)
94-2704204
Organization Category
Arts & Culture, Education, Seniors
Operating Budget
$50,001 - $100,000
Address
300 Main StHalf Moon Bay, CA 94019
Coastal Arts League
A nonprofit organization
0% complete
$7,500 Goal
About
Why We Believe
About this Project
The Coastal Arts League is 100% donor-funded and staffed by volunteers. Funds raised in this community-wide campaign are designated for educational projects. Art in the Schools provides high-quality art supplies for every elementary classroom in Cabrillo Unified School District. By working with schools, we can include every Coastside family with school-age children.
Creative teachers integrate art with classroom instruction because the arts engage students' imagination and cultivate skills that lead to improved academic performance. Art teaches self-expression and communication skills. Art builds fine motor skills, especially for very young children.
Many studies have shown the value of arts education. Low-income students who are engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate from college as their peers with no arts education. Read more about the benefits on our website at: https://www.coastside-artists.com/keep-art-in-the-schools.html#/
A gallery exhibit by young artists from kindergarten to high school will be on view at the Coastal Arts League gallery in Half Moon Bay from April 23 to May 19, 2026. Each school celebrates its students' artwork on-site before the gallery exhibit. Parents help to prepare the artwork for the exhibit, and afterwards, every elementary student takes home an artwork with a mat and backboard, in a cellophane sleeve.
Adult Art Classes: Our volunteer teachers provide free weekly art classes at the Senior Center and at Coast House, the transitional living facility. One participant in the Senior Center class writes, “Thanks so much for your support. We all look forward to the instruction, creativity, and companionship this brings.”
At the Coastal Arts League gallery on Main Street, visitors can discover original art and handmade gifts at affordable prices. The gallery is open to the public and admission is always free. Your gift helps to keep the gallery open, with gallery shows for schools, clubs, and individual artists.
For folks who don't wish to donate online, a gallery host will receive donations at the desk. Early giving is already underway.
Board Members: Jane Lewis, Thomas Goodson, Peter Harames, Anne Grauzlis, Greg Starnes, Rebecca Holland
What do Educators say about the Art in the Schools Project?
Director of Special Projects for CUSD, Israel Castillo, says, "Thank you for the continued support the Coastsl Arts League provides to our students and schools. We truly value the opportunity for students to showcase their artwork in a professional gallery setting, and we appreciate the positive impact this partnership has had on our community." November 2025
HMB High School art teacher, Nina Andersen, says, "We really value the connections made with the community at the Coastal Arts League. We are very thankful for the opportunity to celebrate student achievements and to have them display their artwork at a real gallery." https://www.coastside-artists.com/keep-art-in-the-schools.html#/ October 2025
What do Visitors Say?
"My wife & I were on Main St, HMB & we happened to visit the Coastal Arts League where they are presenting the original art of Cabrillo School District kids, all schools, grades K through 12, painting, sculpture and digital. To say that we were overwhelmed was an understatement. Their collective works show wonderful creativity & imagination. We urge all our neighbors to visit the Main Street gallery before the show’s last day on May 7th. Kudos to the Coastal Arts League for putting this wonderful show together. Please go visit; it will make you proud." Doug Waterman, April 28, 2024. https://www.coastside-artists.com/keep-art-in-the-schools.html#/
Free Art Classes for Adults
"I never miss a class at the Senior Center. I plan my week around being here each Friday."
Online Resources
Mary Bennett says, " We wanted to send over a little thank you! My daughter came across your family art page https://www.coastside-artists.com/art-resources.html. It's led her to tons of awesome guides, and she has learned so much from it! She refers to your resources quite a bit, and I'm pretty sure she never closes the tab."
When You're in Town
The Art League Gallery is one of our favorite places to go whenever we are in the area. Many thanks from all of us to all the artists. Merri Neidorff, October 25, 2022
Fabulous gallery! I loved the person hosting the gallery, and we had a fun conversation. I bought a beautiful glass bowl and cards. Thank you for a beautiful Saturday. Jolynn Rodriguez, May 14, 2022
Plein Air Artists
Judy Lurie says, "Every week I look forward to three hours of pure joy, when cares disappear. Painting along the spectacular coast around Half Moon Bay is truly a spiritual experience, a way of deeply appreciating the beauty of the area where we are lucky enough to live. What's more, this is a really special group of friendly talented, caring people. We paint together, laugh together, share ideas, and eat lunch together. What a joy!"
Giving Activity
Mission
Recognizing the power of arts and artists to create positive change in the world, the mission of the Coastal Arts League is to encourage and support visual artists, with tools to make a living and a life, and to build a community full of meaning, joy, and connection.
Our vision is to be the Public Art Gallery of Half Moon Bay, providing public access to art. Everyone is invited to visit our Main Street gallery and admission is always free.
We cooperate with other community organizations to provide education programs for students and adults. We collaborate with Senior Coastsiders, CUSD, HMB High School, and downtown art galleries. We reach out to people at home with online resources for art activities that the whole family can enjoy. Look for Art Resources on our website, Coastside-Artists.com.
Needs
Our goal is to raise $7,500 to support the art education programs at every school in CUSD. We also support art classes at the Senior Center and Coast House.
Our "Art in the Schools" project provides art supplies to classroom teachers across Cabrillo Unified School District. Your donations help teachers integrate art with instruction to make learning fun.
We heard about budget shortfalls in Cabrillo Unified School District and learned that the district could not provide art supplies for students. Whatever art programs exist are due to the efforts of parents and community groups.
Coastal Arts League provides art supplies to every classroom teacher. Each school in the district receives additional art supplies and is invited to enter the Student Art Show, from April 24 to May 19.
All of this is possible because of generous donors like you. When you donate, you give teachers the tools they need to integrate art activities with instruction.
Thank you so much for supporting this work. A donation of any amount is meaningful, and together, we can continue this project next year and every year. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us and to the people we serve.
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Coastal Arts League
Organization Data
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019