Inner-City Arts

"This has been the year of the greatest opportunity. We have the opportunity to shift how we look at education. It’s a chance to do education differently. This work is important. There are organizations advocating for the arts right now, who are on the ground making sure policymakers are aware of the benefit we do. Inner-City Arts Chief Education Officer, Collette Williams Alleyne, recently spoke with Los Angeles Wave on the importance of creativity in the lives of our young people. Check out this article to learn why the arts and arts education are needed, especially now, as well as how we have adapted our teaching methods after this past year!

Take a look at the amazing artwork done by some of our Intermediate Drawing students! In this online class, they've developed their technical skills and created still-life compositions using both colored pencils and graphite. Interested in taking virtual classes to learn how to create artwork just like this? There's still time to sign-up for our upcoming Summer Term! Our two-week, online sessions begin Monday, June 21 for elementary school students, and Monday, July 12 for middle & high school students. For a full class schedule and for more information, go to inner-cityarts.org/institutes. And please SHARE with anyone throughout L.A. and beyond who would like to fill their Summer 2021 with art!

In 2020, our Work of Art Enterprisers were commissioned to create a catalog of PSAs across a range of mental health and wellness topics. #Anxiety has several types of disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders. Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life, but anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. #Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. View our students' work to inspire hope, optimism, and encouragement! Each topic includes a free downloadable PSA kit that you can use as a resource in your classrooms, homes, and online networks. Go to inner-cityarts.org/psa to view the collection.

"I learned that there are no mistakes in art. I also learned that no matter how bad you think you are, you can make something beautiful." - Former Inner-City Arts 4th grade student, Kieran. Here are some more virtual classes being offered for elementary school students in our Summer Term! In our Dance class, students will explore body, space, time, and energy by participating in a warmup, creating and improvising their own movement, collaborating with others, sharing dances, ...and talking about the work. And in Drama, students will explore the skills of storytelling and acting. They'll be encouraged to use their bodies, faces, voices, and imagination to bring characters and stories to life. For more information and to register for our online classes, go to inner-cityarts.org/institutes. K-6 Registration is open through June 4! And please SHARE with anyone throughout L.A. and beyond who would like to fill their Summer 2021 with art! // "Aprendí que no hay errores en el arte. También aprendí que no importa lo malo que pienses que eres, puedes hacer algo hermoso". - Ex alumno de cuarto grado de Inner-City Arts, Kieran. ¡Aquí hay más clases virtuales que se ofrecen para estudiantes de escuela primaria en nuestro período de verano! En nuestra clase de Danza, los estudiantes explorarán el cuerpo, el espacio, el tiempo y la energía participando en un calentamiento, creando e improvisando su propio movimiento, colaborando con otros, compartiendo bailes y hablando sobre el trabajo. Y en Drama, los estudiantes explorarán las habilidades de contar historias y actuar. Se les animará a usar sus cuerpos, rostros, voces e imaginación para dar vida a personajes e historias. Para obtener más información y registrarse en nuestras clases en línea, vaya a inner-cityarts.org/institutes. ¡La inscripción para K-6 está abierta hasta el 4 de junio! ¡Y COMPARTE con cualquier persona en Los Ángeles y más allá que quiera llenar su Verano 2021 con arte!

Content creators taking the world of media by a storm, apply to be a part of the team today! #CareerExploration Last day to apply is this Thursday, April 15! Go to inner-cityarts.org/workofart for more info!

The Los Angeles LGBT Center will be hosting their Models of Pride event on November 14 and 15! This FREE event is the world’s largest conference for LGBTQ youth & allies 12-24, as well as parents & professionals. This year’s virtual event will include an opening session, workshops, resources, and entertainment. Click the link below for more information and to register. And SHARE with others who would be interested in attending!

Public Student Announcement "In times of great panic and anxiety it can be tough to ground yourself in reality, having a safe space is a step you can take to help yourself. Finding a safe space to open up sounds easier than it actually is for some people, but your space doesn't have to be a physical area. Indulging in a hobby, chatting with a loved one in person or online, relaxing activities, are just some examples of what ones safe space can look like." This #psa on #suicid...eprevention was created by Work Of Art artist Ravin Brazfield for Art Space, a resource hub for creativity and wellness. Go to inner-cityarts.org/resources#psa-suicide-links for resources around suicide and mental health.

Thank you to the students, panelists, and other guests who participated in our Creative Career Fair last week! Being a virtual event this year did not stop nearly 200 young people from showing up to listen to creative professionals share their wisdom about their personal career journeys and to ask direct questions about finding their future paths. Here's what they had to say about the experience! To learn more about the Work of Art program, please visit inner-cityarts.org/wor...kofart! // ¡Gracias a los estudiantes, panelistas y otros invitados que participaron en nuestra Feria de Carreras Creativas la semana pasada! El hecho de ser un evento virtual este año no impidió que cerca de 200 jóvenes se presentaran para escuchar a los profesionales creativos compartir su sabiduría sobre sus viajes profesionales personales y hacer preguntas directas sobre cómo encontrar sus caminos futuros. ¡Esto es lo que dijeron sobre la experiencia! Para obtener más información sobre el programa de Obra de Arte, visite inner-cityarts.org/workofart.

"How do I approach talking about Social Justice, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion?" We'll explore this question and many others during our next Professional Development seminar on Social Justice for Educators! This three-afternoon series was designed to meet requests we've received for an even deeper dive into Social Justice in education. It will help you increase your comfort in the Social Justice Conversation, and bring it into your learning space in a safe and ...authentic way. Please SHARE with educators, parents, and anyone interested in educating themselves and others on Social Justice! Mon, December 7, 2020 Wed, December 9, 2020 Fri, December 11, 2020 4:00 PM 6:00 PM PST

In arguably the most important election cycle in our nation's history, we encourage eligible voters to exercise their right this Election Day (if you have not already). With so much at stake, from public health to racial justice to access to arts education in our schools, it is critical that we make our voices heard. If you are going to the polls today, please wear a mask and vote for a better future for our young people. // En posiblemente el ciclo electoral más importante e...n la historia de nuestra nación, alentamos a los votantes elegibles a ejercer su derecho este Día de Elecciones (si aún no lo ha hecho). Con tanto en juego, desde la salud pública hasta la justicia racial y el acceso a la educación artística en nuestras escuelas, es fundamental que hagamos oír nuestras voces. Si va a ir a las urnas hoy, póngase una máscara y vote por un futuro mejor para nuestros jóvenes. See more

Inner-City Arts Students and Families! Our friends at 826LA & the Time Travel Mart are holding their 11th Annual Personal Statement Weekend virtually this year! 826LA will have trained tutors to help you write and edit your UC Personal Insight Questions, Common App Personal Statement, or Cal State EOP statements. Whether you’re just starting, almost finished, or somewhere in between, this event will get you one step closer to finishing your college applications before the deadline! Registration is open until Wednesday, November 4 at 5:00pm. The event will be held virtually from 10:00am - 2:00pm on November 7, 8, 14, and 15! Please note that this event is only open to 826LA partner schools and organizations.

The Arts matter...and so does your vote! Help #CreateTheVote and make sure our young people have access to arts education!

We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to our Día de los Muertos Community Altar. After receiving photos and artwork of departed loved ones, such as the one pictured here commemorating some of our collective losses made by Program Coordinator Orlando Moreno, our Teaching Artist Marissa Sykes assembled a beautiful altar to honor those we've lost. We invite you to take a moment of reflection today and visit the finished altar on our Youtube Livestream, broadcasting thro...ugh this evening. Click youtu.be/pYT9AxVhgDY. In a year of great loss, we are honored to celebrate the lives of those we love and remember the fond memories we shared with them. // Estamos muy agradecidos con todos los que contribuyeron a nuestro Altar Comunitario del Día de los Muertos. Después de recibir fotos y obras de arte de seres queridos fallecidos, como la que se muestra aquí para conmemorar algunas de nuestras pérdidas colectivas hechas por el coordinador del programa Orlando Moreno, nuestra artista docente Marissa Sykes montó un hermoso altar para honrar a los que hemos perdido. Lo invitamos a tomar un momento de reflexión hoy y visitar el altar terminado en nuestra transmisión en vivo de Youtube, que se transmite esta noche. Haga clic youtu.be/pYT9AxVhgDY. En un año de grandes pérdidas, nos sentimos honrados de celebrar la vida de aquellos a quienes amamos y recordar los buenos recuerdos que compartimos con ellos.

Our Teaching Artists are SUPERHEROES! Even from our virtual studios, we love to have fun while creating, exploring, and learning through play! Inner-City Arts wishes you and yours a very fun and safe Halloween! . . . .... . #halloween #costumes #wonderwoman #teachers #virtualclassroom See more

We'd like to congratulate architect Michael Maltzan on receiving an AIA|LA Best of the Millennium Award for designing the Inner-City Arts campus! Special thanks for giving our students an amazing space in which they can imagine and create. We look forward to when we can be back on campus with our students, teaching artists, and staff!

Public Student Announcement "Boz experiences suicidal thoughts, and lately it’s getting harder. Boz is afraid, but wants to try and talk about their experience with suicide to someone close to them." This #psa on #suicideprevention was created by Work Of Art artist Gieneyra Lai-Alvarez for Art Space, a resource hub for creativity and wellness.... Go to inner-cityarts.org/resources#psa-suicide-links for resources around suicide and mental health.

Public Student Announcement "For every entrance there is an exit. Having suicidal thoughts is a difficult hole to escape. However, with patience, hope, and care, a safe route will appear that leads to an exit out from your abyss of suicidal thoughts. Without a set of directions, you make your own route. You will see your own paradise at any time, so be patient." This #psa on #suicideprevention was created by Work Of Art artist Anthony Gutierrez-Luna for Art Space, a resource ...hub for creativity and wellness. Go to https://inner-cityarts.org/resources#psa-suicide-links for resources around suicide and mental health.

Keep swiping to see the progress of our Dia de los Muertos Community Altar. We've been so moved by the photos and stories we have received from our students, staff, volunteers, and community! There's still time to participate in creating our altar: send printable photos & artwork you would like displayed on the altar to teaching artist Marissa Sykes at [email protected] by Thursday, October 29. We invite you and your community to view the finished altar and find a mom...ent of reflection on Monday, November 2 on YouTube Live. Please SHARE this opportunity widely! A Dia de los Muertos Altar is a place to celebrate the lives of those we continue to cherish after their time on earth has passed. Recall what brought them joy and send art that represents that essence. // Siga deslizando el dedo para ver el progreso de nuestro Altar Comunitario del Día de los Muertos. ¡Nos han conmovido mucho las fotos e historias que hemos recibido de nuestros estudiantes, personal, voluntarios y comunidad! Todavía hay tiempo para participar en la creación de nuestro altar: envíe fotos imprimibles y obras de arte que le gustaría exhibir en el altar a la artista maestra Marissa Sykes a [email protected] antes del jueves 29 de octubre. Lo invitamos a usted y a su comunidad a ver el Altar terminado y encontrar un momento de reflexión el lunes 2 de noviembre en YouTube Live. ¡COMPARTE esta oportunidad ampliamente! Un Altar del Día de los Muertos es un lugar para celebrar las vidas de aquellos a quienes seguimos apreciando después de su tiempo en la tierra. Recuerda lo que les trajo alegría y envía arte que represente esa esencia.

Inner-City Arts continues its participation in global action, bringing more socially just practices to the forefront of teaching & learning. Join us for our next Professional Development seminar on Social Justice for Educators! This three-afternoon series was designed to meet requests we've received for an even deeper dive into Social Justice in education. It will help you increase your comfort in the Social Justice Conversation, and bring it into your learning space in a saf...e and authentic way. Please SHARE with educators, parents, and anyone interested in educating themselves and others on Social Justice! Mon, December 7, 2020 Wed, December 9, 2020 Fri, December 11, 2020 4:00 PM 6:00 PM PST