Art Teaching Credential
CSUN offers the California Preliminary Single-Subject Art Credential. This credential authorizes the teaching of all art subjects, K-12. These include art appreciation, art history, arts and crafts, art theory, calligraphy, cartooning, ceramics, commercial art, costume design, crafts, design, drawing, humanities, illustration, interior decoration, jewelry, leather-making, painting, photography, sculpture, stagecraft, and yearbook.
All Single Subject Credentials include an English Learner-ELAS level, which allows the holder to teach English learners in their subject-matter classrooms. For authorizations to teach in English Language Development (ELD), English as Second Language (ESL), or bilingual classrooms, please see our Bilingual Authorization and CTEL/CLAD Certificate Programs.
For more information about CSUN’s Art Credential program, contact Penny Venola at penelope.venola@csun.edu.
Program Pathways
- Traditional Program
- Intern Program
- Accelerated Collaborative Teacher Education Program
- Dual Single-Subject/Education Specialist Credential Program
Art-Education Faculty
Jess Perry-Martin
Jess Perry-Martin is a Visual Arts Educator from Los Angeles with 24 years of experience teaching K-12 students in LAUSD and 4 years as a lecturer in Art Education at CSUN. Her passion for arts education, advocacy, and equity drives her to integrate contemporary art into the classroom and support Title I students. Jess is a published author for Art21, Turning Points in Art Education, and SchoolArts Magazine, and regularly presents at art education conferences. Her contributions have earned her Teacher of the Year honors in LA County, state awards from CAEA, and national recognition from NAEA. She is an AP Reader, mentor for LAUSD, Art21 Education, and the California Department of Education, and has served as a supervising teacher for CSUN student teachers for over a decade. Jess holds a BFA in Painting from UCSC, a teaching credential from CSUN, and a Master’s in Art Education, Advocacy and Policy, from Boston University, along with Early Adolescent-Young Adult National Board Certification. Outside of teaching, Jess is a studio artist, avid walker, and dedicated band and soccer mom. She is committed to lifelong learning and believes in the transformative power of art in schools and communities.
Penny Venola
Penny Venola has been teaching for over 50 years at all levels, 35 of which were in middle school. She has also taught elementary-level summer camps, high school, and seniors. Most of her experience was in Santa Ana Unified Schools. She is a Past President of the California Art Education Association, and Past Pacific Region Vice President of the National Art Education Association. She has served on various committees, both at the state level and nationally. She continues to teach workshops throughout the state and at national conferences for Sargent Art Products. Her artwork has been seen in a variety of shows around southern California. She still loves to teach, is still passionate about art, and still has a sense of humor and surprise about her students.