Owner Gordon Rowland offers guitar lessons to students throughout the Bay Area. Advanced students learn performance skills, theory, and special techniques, and are encouraged to give recitals once every six months where they are provided with written commentary by a panel of music teachers. Several of Rowland's students have gone on to play professionally. In 2008, GuitarWork was voted Best of Novato for Music Lessons by the US Local Business Association.
Studio4Art is a hands-on studio that offers classes and workshops for children and adults. A talented and dedicated staff provides instruction in drawing, painting, clay, wheel-throwing and sewing. Drop-in times are available, as are rentals for birthday parties, scout programs, playgroups, day camps and more.
Part of Novato High School, Marin School of the Arts emphasizes special programs for visual arts, performing arts, digital and graphic arts, creative writing and music. The concept is to have a public school option for students all over Marin County who want more than the standard arts curriculum available at other schools. There are approximately 350 students at MSA, some of whom live outside of Novato. In the morning they attend regular Novato High classes, and in the afternoon they are instructed by eight teachers and a team of working arts professionals. In 2008, the 45 MSA seniors received $1.7 million in scholarships. Mark Peabody created the school's concept, wrote and secured a state grant, and became the founder of the 501c nonprofit that led to the creation of MSA. He remains the school's director and an assistant principal at Novato High. Peabody is a former Marin County Teacher of the Year who attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, specializing in bass. Students interested in attending MSA and their parents can take a guided tour of the campus, led by staff members and parent volunteers. Prospects must audition for an MSA program or present a portfolio of their work, then be interviewed by the MSA faculty and write an essay on deadline. Enrollment is free, but parents are expected to become active boosters to support the non-profit school.