Photo by Mercie Ghimire
Students gained hands-on experience with artmaking, storytelling, and collaborative problem-solving while exploring Jewish values, history, and the lived experiences of the Jewish people.
- Nearly 30,000 students & teachers reached in-person and virtually
- 126 school partners in 11 districts
- 80% of students come from public schools
- 80% of schools received both bus scholarships & fee waivers
- 70% of participating students come from Title I schools
- 143 teachers trained through professional development workshops
Building Belonging Through Learning
Letter from Rachel Stark, Vice President of Education and Family Programs
What a joy it is to celebrate another extraordinary year of learning, discovery, and connection in our Roslyn and Abner Goldstine School Programs, and none of it would be possible without you. Because of your generosity, students stepped into our galleries for the very first time, teachers found new ways to bring Jewish cultural understanding into their classrooms, and young leaders discovered pathways toward careers in museums and cultural spaces.
Your support does more than fund programs; it transforms lives. You make it possible for children to see themselves in others’ stories, for classrooms to grow more inclusive and connected, and for the next generation to carry forward lessons of empathy, creativity, and stewardship.
As we look ahead, we are thrilled to launch the Bloom Garden, marking the eighteenth-anniversary renovation of Noah’s Ark. This reimagined chapter, complete with a Rainbow Gallery with new components, outdoor learning garden, and enriched curriculum, will deepen our commitment to resilience and intergenerational dialogue. But none of this happens without you.
Thank you for standing with us as partners in nurturing curiosity and hope. Together, we are sowing seeds of possibility that will bloom for years to come.
Read this year's School Programs Report
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Noah’s Ark Reopens: Play, Imagination, and the New Bloom Garden
After eighteen years, Noah’s Ark at the Skirball reopens, welcoming families and schools back to a beloved, hands-on destination. Read more...
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Investing in the Next Generation: An Interview with Getty Marrow Intern Olivia Lara
The Skirball’s Youth Programs form a continuum—from school tours to teen leadership to paid internships. In this Q&A, Olivia Lara reflects on mentorship, designing an interactive scavenger hunt for Visions and Values, and how museum teaching opened pathways for a career in arts education. Read more...
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Educators at the Center: STAC and a Three-Step Noah’s Ark Learning Journey
Our Skirball Teacher Advisory Council (STAC) partners with TK–Grade 12 educators to co-shape programs. Follow Ms. Martha Cervantes and her Suva Elementary class through a three-step sequence—pre-visit lessons, on-site exploration, and post-visit reflection—showing how curriculum, museum experiences, and classroom presentations reinforce arts learning and social-emotional growth. Read more…
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Teen Advisory Committee: Co-Creating with Youth
After a pandemic-era pause, the Teen Advisory Committee relaunched in spring 2024. Students now co-design teen-focused programs, contribute to exhibition planning, and support events—building a pipeline from student engagement to youth leadership. Next year, we’ll expand to ten students and deepen their role across institutional priorities. Read more…
In Their Own Words
Students—Most memorable part of the visit?
“Meeting new people and learning things because it helps me to know about what happens in history.” — Mary Jane, 5th Grade, Bell Gardens Elementary (Montebello Unified)
“Getting to see everyone’s process and their finished stories, because it showed me a side of my classmates I’ve never seen.” — Michelle, 4th Grade, Kittridge Street Elementary (LAUSD)
Teachers—Reflections
“The questions given to my students made them think.” — Ramon Martinez, 6th Grade, Marianna Ave Elementary (LAUSD)
“The Shabbat dinner activity was extremely special… Skirball stands out as the one field trip that touched our hearts.” — Leslie Hiatt, 5th Grade, Bell Gardens Elementary (Montebello Unified)
Donor Support
The Roslyn and Abner Goldstine School Programs at the Skirball Cultural Center are made possible by generous support from:
The Herb Alpert Foundation
Morris Braun Foundation
The Capital Group Companies
California Natural Resources Agency
Evelyn and Norman Feintech Family Foundation
The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation
Claire Goldsmith
The Mark Hughes Foundation
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Resnick Foundation
The Rose Hills Foundation
David and Sara G. Rubin Charitable Trust
Richard V. Sandler
Steinmetz Foundation
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
S. Mark Taper Foundation
Flora L. Thornton Foundation
