Who’s steering the ship?

Viletta Martin is an experienced educator, President, and Executive Creative Officer (ECO) at the Umbrella Arts Educational Program. She is recognized for her leadership in arts education, with a career dedicated to integrating creative arts into academic curricula and fostering artistic expression among students.

Current Role:

President & ECO, Umbrella Arts Educational Program
Martin oversees the strategic direction and creative vision of the Umbrella Arts Educational Program, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing arts education. Her role includes:

• Leading program development and implementation.
• Managing partnerships with educational institutions and arts organizations.
• Advocating for arts integration in schools to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.

Key Contributions:

• Innovative Curriculum Development: Viletta has been instrumental in designing arts-integrated curricula that align with educational standards, enhancing both creativity and academic performance among students.
• Community Outreach: She has successfully expanded the reach of Umbrella Arts through community engagement and collaboration with local artists and educators.
• Professional Development: Martin provides training and resources for teachers to effectively incorporate arts into their teaching practices.

Previous Experience:

Before her tenure at Umbrella Arts, Viletta held various roles in education and the arts, contributing to her comprehensive understanding of both fields. Her background includes:

• Classroom Teaching: Experience in teaching various subjects with an emphasis on integrating arts into the curriculum.
• Educational Leadership: Roles in administration where she developed and led arts education programs at different educational levels.
• Arts Advocacy: Active involvement in advocacy for arts education at local and national levels, influencing policy and funding decisions.
• CalEarth Teacher: While receiving her MFA, Martin studied closely under Nader Khalili (1936-2008) who was a visionary architect, author, humanitarian, teacher, and innovator.

  “CalEarth is to further the research, development, and education of Superadobe, a safe and accessible form of Earth Architecture that provides environmentally and financially sustainable living spaces. CalEarth is engaging in ground-breaking research and education that fundamentally transforms housing equity worldwide.”

  In close collaboration with Mr. Khalili and Laura Huxley, Viletta helped develop a program for teens titled “Make A House Before You Make A Baby.” Teaching teens the importance of sustainable living and the environmental cost of not taking care of the earth.

Experience:

Viletta has received comprehensive training in arts education, paired with extensive hands-on experience in the studio arts. This solid foundation underpins her dedication to both academic excellence and artistic expression. Her background has equipped her with the expertise and leadership abilities needed to successfully lead and inspire impactful arts education initiatives.

Philosophy:

Viletta Martin is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of the arts in cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness in both students and professionals. She also recognizes the arts as a powerful tool for community healing. Her approach to arts education is grounded in the belief that it is essential for holistic growth and a cornerstone of academic achievement.