Through IVAE, the Getty Center initiates and funds visual arts training programs at the elementary and secondary school levels. Visual arts teachers receive advanced training through the program. Professional artists, arts education experts and art museums supply training and instructional support. Museum resources are used both to train teachers and to expose students to art and cultural history. Individual artists, arts education experts and museum personnel work with teachers to develop written, sequential curricula.
Individual artists provide supplemental instruction to students.
While program wholly concerned with visual arts coursework, IVAE does emphasize critical thinking skills and cultural understanding through art history, criticism and aesthetics. Emphasizes that visual arts are a regular part of the general education curriculum for the school district. The Getty Center is conducting multi-year studies to assess the progress and outcome of IVAE programs.