What started as an arts program for local children in a one-room warehouse is now an expansive service organization benefiting Downtown Los Angeles.
Inner-City Arts has provided invaluable arts education for young learners in the heart of the city for 35 years. The teachings from the organization and its sweeping array of programs impact children not just at the point of learning, but for the rest of their lives.
Students in these areas are often underserved, and face barriers to access high-quality arts education. Many students may not have a wide array of programs at their local school or an awareness of available creative careers, according to Associate Director of Communications Amanda Edwards, and need additional support when it comes to educational programming.
“It was increasingly obvious that arts funding was being taken out of public education in the ’70s and ‘80s,” she said. “There were a number of studies that showed poor living conditions for kids, especially in our local neighborhood — we’re right in the middle of Skid Row. There was a lot of inspiration for more direct action to provide safe and empowering programs.”
Edwards said that a main goal of Inner-City Arts is to ensure that underserved students are able to obtain the same sort of opportunities as students who attend schools with well-funded arts programs.
“Our mission is to promote a creative society,” she said. “We find ways to do that — whether it’s through messaging and awareness or direct access to the kinds of equipment and teachers and materials that we can offer here.”
The campus, located between Skid Row, the Arts District and the Fashion District, has something for every student looking to explore their creativity. It houses 8 studio spaces that each focus on a different medium. A performing arts building contains dance, theater and music around an open-air gathering space. There are two separate ceramic studios, complete with kilns. A visual arts building is for traditional art forms like drawing and painting. The media arts building allows students to try photography, animation or graphic design. The Creativity Lab is a maker space for kids to tinker around with tools for interdisciplinary learning.
“Our campus is kind of a beautiful oasis,” she said. “It feels like a magical place when you spend time here. “
Also located on the campus is the Rosenthal Theater, which connects students to the broader community for dramatic works. Students have the opportunity to learn performing arts by writing original works with partner playwrights or participate in productions. Families in the area can attend plays put on by partner theater companies.
“Families can take advantage of the programming here, and we also have events for the community like our Summer on 7th event,” she said. “We try to share our campus with our downtown neighbors as much as we can, because it’s a beautiful and creative place to be. We think of ourselves as arts ambassadors for youth, families and the community here.”
No form of creativity is left behind at Inner-City Arts, as programming includes the visual, media and performing arts. Students may participate in cartoon portraiture, ceramics, transportation design, AI soundscapes, dance, drama and so much more.
“Last week, our students who come here from Para Los Niños were launching rockets on our rooftop that they had made in the Creativity Lab,” she said.
Students come to the campus from over 15 zip codes across Los Angeles. They come from many racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well — 75% of them are Latino or Latinx, 7.3% are Black or African American, 5.9% are Asian and 3.4% are two or more races. The organization partners with Los Angeles Unified School District and local charter schools for school day programs that bus local classes in for weekly sessions. In addition, it offers after school and Saturday options, as well as classes in individual topics for middle and high schoolers.
There are also programs for older learners. Inner-City Arts runs the paid Work of Art internship for 11th and 12th graders with interest in pursuing a specific art form that trains students with college and career preparation, professional shadow days and mentorship. Interns create portfolios that they may not have otherwise been able to develop under the tutelage of advisors.
Adults and educators can participate in the Professional Development Institute, which offers pedagogical methods for including art and creativity in the classroom. The Institute trains educators, administrators, parents and guardians how to engage students in arts-integrated learning, and teaches them the benefits of such an education.
The organization has made great strides during its years of service. According to the 2023-24 Impact Report, 3,681 school-day students were served through over 3,000 hours of instruction in the studio. From that instruction, surveys showed that programs led to critical thinking skill improvement in 84% of students and communication, interpersonal skills and collaboration in 86%.
“Inner-City Arts is a place to make sure youth know that, if you are inspired to keep doing art in your life, there are professional pathways for you,” she said.
“It’s a great thing to see the full arc of experience that we’re able to offer young people.”
Info: inner-cityarts.org, @innercityarts