California Education Code states:

For grades 1 to 6;

512101
(a) The adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive shall include instruction, beginning in grade 1 and continuing through grade 6, in the following areas of study:

(5) Visual and performing arts, including instruction in the subjects of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, aimed at the development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression.

California Education Code Section 51210 (Grades one through six)

For grades 7 to 12:

512202
The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12, inclusive, shall offer courses in the following areas of study:
(g) Visual and performing arts, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts, with emphasis upon development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression.

California Education Code Section 51220 (Grades seven through twelve)

A-G Subject Requirements:

In addition to the requirements designated by California Ed Code:

"half of the state's (California) school districts set their minimum graduation requirements to match the course requirements for admission to the state's public universities. Under these requirements, students must take one year of visual and performing arts, which cannot be fulfilled with foreign language or CTE coursework."

This specifically refers to "F - Visual and Performing Arts" in the A-G subject requirements in both CSU and UC schools.

The Arts and Music in Schools Funding and Accountability Act, Prop 28, defines "arts education program" as but not limited to:

• instruction and training,
• supplies,
• materials, and
• arts educational partnership programs for instruction in:
  • dance,
  • media arts,
  • music,
  • theatre
  • visual arts
  • creative expressions

Specific examples for visual arts include:

• folk art
• painting
• sculpture
• photography
• craft arts.

While creative expression includes:

• graphic arts and design
• computer coding
• animation
• music composition and ensembles
• script writing
• costume design
• film
• video