ARTS Programs

Pat D’Arrigo ARTS Center
ARTS provides visual, performing and literary art programs for kids facing life challenges at the Pat D’Arrigo ARTS Center. This 7,000 square-foot creative space provides a Music Room, Media Arts Lab, Performing Arts Space, Painting Studio, Mixed Media Studio, Ceramics Studio, and the ARTS Gallery. Classes called "Expression Sessions" in art, music, ceramics, photography, media arts, literature, and dance are offered during after-school hours.

Community Outreach Programs
ARTS brings visual, performing and literary Expression Sessions to many of our community partners, including youth in hospitals and other treatment facilities.

Community Art Projects
ARTS collaborates with many partner organizations to create public works of art in order to beautify and bring creativity to the environments of the children we serve. In addition, the projects develop and encourage a sense of community among the youth who co-create them.

Van-Go Transportation Program
ARTS provides free transportation for youth to and from the ARTS Center as well as to various arts and cultural events throughout the community.

Social & Youth Enterprise Initiatives
Mission-based arts-related businesses provide internships, job training and employment to teens, particularly those who are homeless. Businesses include creating and selling artwork, providing graphic design and large format printing services, working in the ARTS Gallery and framing business, and helping with the ARTS Center operations.

ARTS Scholarships
ARTS provides scholarships to help kids pursue an education in the arts.

We Meet Individual Needs: Every child has different needs so our structure is flexible and allows us to support the various challenges of most children.

  • One-on-One Sessions - Work one-on-one with an artist for a single or multiple visits.
  • Group - Individual kids can join other kids in ARTS programs or entire groups can come to ARTS for various programs.

Enrollment Process: ARTS has a simple process to identify the many children who may benefit from ARTS. Please contact Carolyn Smyth, Program Director, at csmyth@AReasonToSurvive.org or (619) 297-ARTS ext 2003 to find out more.