Abstract
A collaboration of three Visual Art teachers representing Art departments within three local school districts, shared intent to educate 100 eighth graders about three communities by studying African culture and community through integrated curriculum, hands-on activities and a culminating field trip working with a local artist. Allowing students to work together not only expanded their vision of cultural diversity, but also provided them with experiences and information that broadened their sense of unified community and love for the Arts. This collaboration demonstrated to these students the power of Arts through the expansion of learning to include students, teachers, parents, school administrators, district administrators, local artists and Art agencies within Sacramento County. Through narrative inquiry and action research the author of this project investigated and documented the different stages of collaboration among students, teachers, parents, school administrators, district administrators, local artists and Art agencies within the community.