In the 2024–25 school year, Kalamazoo RESA–Education for the Arts (EFA) celebrates 30 years of delivering innovative, equitable arts education to nine public K-12 school districts, special education programs, alternative education schools, higher education and community arts organizations across Kalamazoo County.

As a capstone to its 30th anniversary, EFA received national recognition in October 2024. At the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., EFA staff were presented with the 2024 Arts Innovation Award by the Arts Schools Network..

EFA’s countywide model—powered by a blend of public, philanthropic, and endowment funding—creates unique flexibility and a spirit of experimentation.EFA’s arts programming is equitably accessible to all K-8, special education and alternative students in Kalamazoo County. Additionally, approximately 700 high school students annually attend EFA classes in every artform.

EFA’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Nationally, KRESA-EFA staff have served in board and committee leadership roles with the Lincoln Center Institute of Aesthetic Education, the Association of Aesthetic Ed Institutes and Americans for the Arts – State Arts Education Public Policy Program. Michigan leadership has included the Council of Michigan Foundations, Creative Many Michigan and Michigan Youth Arts Association. Locally, staff have served on boards and advisory committees with the Kalamazoo Cultural Center, Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Dance Kalamazoo, and the Community Teaching Artist Coalition.

Additionally, KRESA-EFA has received a statewide arts organization Guvvy Award from ArtServe Michigan and three EFA instructors have won Michigan Arts Teacher of the Year awards.

For more information, visit kresa.org/efa