Free Arts Information

Free Arts believes that each child has a right to a positive future. Through free and innovative art programs, Free Arts seeks to restore hope, resiliency and self-esteem in children in Los Angeles ages 4-18 who have experienced abuse, neglect, poverty and homelessness. Free Arts creates a safe environment where children can feel, understand and express their emotions and begin to recover and gain a sense of mastery and empowerment. Free Arts envisions a society of individuals from different communities, cultures and life experiences connecting through the healing power of art to interrupt the cycle of violence, build self esteem and nurture better lives. The Impact: Today Free Arts provides creative arts programs to more than 22,000 children in Los Angeles annually. Programs are implemented by expert trained facilitators with the assistance of nearly 200 adult volunteer mentors, who donate more than 14,000 hours every year. Free Arts Programs Free Arts Mentorship: Free Arts' weekly mentor programs engage small groups of children in 90-minute art-therapy-based sessions around a theme over the course of 8-12 weeks. This program is led by carefully screened and trained volunteer mentors. Free Arts Mentoring allows children to develop and nurture their self-esteem as they create healthy relationships with positive adult role models in a safe environment. Free Arts for Families: This 8-12 week program helps create positive memories and experiences through family centered art projects. Each week parents and children use art to strengthen family bonds and communication skills in a constructive, non-judgmental environment. Free Arts for Children's Courthouse: Every weekday, thousands of children and families in the system spend hours waiting to testify in court and learn their future. Free Arts provides relief from anxiety and fear for these children through specially designed art activities that distract and entertain them, while calming them before they have to testify in front of a judge. Free Arts Day: Free Arts Days are single-day art workshops that are sponsored by a company or family as a bonding or team building experience; give back to the community and be a mentor for a day!