Our Beliefs

We believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover a world beyond the classroom.

Imagine hearing a symphony perform live for the very first time; watching a theater production that sparks a lifelong love of the arts; standing face-to-face with a masterpiece in a museum; exploring ancient civilizations and imagining what life was like thousands of years ago; or gazing up at a spacecraft and wondering if one day you could help build the next one.

For many students, these moments are more than a field trip—they are life-changing experiences that expand horizons, ignite curiosity, and inspire dreams. For some, even the bus ride is an adventure, offering a first glimpse of neighborhoods, institutions, and opportunities they have never seen before.

Every field trip opens a door to wonder, possibility, and learning. Sometimes, all it takes is a seat on the bus.

what’s your field trip story?

Our History

Co-Founders Patty Smith and Jeri Denniston met while serving on the board of the newly formed San Diego-Tijuana Sister Cities Society, forming a friendship that has lasted more than 30 years. They spearheaded a project to connect more San Diego County youths to the arts in both San Diego and Tijuana, branding it ArtsBusXpress.

The very first ArtsBusXpress-funded field trip rolled down the streets on October 21, 2002 — two buses filled with children traveled to Heritage Park in Old Town San Diego.

On Mar 16, 2006, ArtsBusXpress officially separated from the San Diego-Tijuana Sister Cities Society, becoming an independent 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

Since then, those two busloads have expanded into a regional student equity access program transporting more than 250,000 students throughout San Diego County.

Out-of-classroom learning experiences also expanded beyond the arts to include science, technology, culture, environmental, and career opportunities.