Able ARTS Work

Able ARTS Work empowers individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities through creative engagement by providing therapeutic, vocational, and educational art and music services. We believe music and art are vital tools to liberate and transform the lives of all people. Using an evidence-based approach and range of creative arts therapies, our instructors and therapists assist service users to reach their individual social, educational, vocational and developmental goals. Our outreach programs support arts education for youth of all abilities and offer opportunities for accessible music and art education to the community at large. Our goal is to spark social change by unifying the community under a common interest: CREATIVITY.

Since 1982, Able ARTS Work has provided adult day services for people with moderate to severe intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Adults participating in day services have access to:

•  Daily, long-term music and art therapy to develop and strengthen personal social and developmental goals.
•  Vocational opportunities in art and music to pursue a creative path to financial autonomy.

Able ARTS also serves school-aged and at-risk preschool-aged children, providing standards-based arts education as well as music and art therapy services. 

Through arts education services in schools, students with and without disabilities have opportunities to:

• Develop meaningful relationships with peers of all abilities through shared experiences.
• Cope with feelings and challenging life experiences by developing a social-emotional skillset.

Using music and art therapy to reach non-creative goals, pre-school-aged children have an opportunity to:

• Overcome individual developmental delays to help them thrive.
• Encourage self-expression, communication, and motor development.
• Stimulate cognitive functioning through fun, accessible methods of expression. 

 Able ARTS Work also offers programs to meet the needs of the community, particularly those underserved and marginalized. From health and wellness to arts education and enrichment programs, each values contribution, accessibility, and engagement resulting in the development of a healthy and vibrant community.

Through creative enrichment, the community is provided : 

• Curated experiences to foster accessibility and inclusion through creativity, initiative and expression.  
• Innovative opportunities for meaningful creative engagement across all ages and all abilities.  
• An inclusive place for the exchange of ideas, skills, and cultural expression.  

Testimonials

                           "Untitled", Acrylic on Paper, 2023   

"Able ARTS Work has changed my life for the better. The staff are so good here and everyone is like family... all my goals have helped me blossom, and I completed dream goals at Able ARTS Work. I appreciate all (the) hard work that program supplies me!"  - Stephanie, Able ARTS Work resident artist 

"Able ARTS Work has done a wonderful job bringing a variety of workshops to our senior program. There's a lot of joy in learning new things, especially giving the opportunity to try out things you would otherwise never have the chance to try. This group helps break down barriers to learning new skills and creating art. It's heartwarming to see people get together and make art without fear of judgement. On behalf of the Expo Arts Center Senior Program, Thank you Able ARTS Work!" - Cynthia, Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine - Community Recreation Services   

"What a treat it has been to find Able ARTS Work! Our 10 year old son, Jabril, has Down Syndrome and Autism. He has been participating in music therapy classes for 4 months. The beauty of this program is blending skills aligned to his IEP with music. Heidi has combined music he absolutely loves while reinforcing targeted behaviors and introducing new instruments...AAW staff support Jabril with his specific goals and have become a special part of our village. 

Most recently, we enrolled Jabril’s neurotypical siblings in the course. He has loved this experience of making music with his siblings. Nyla and Akil are so proud to collaborate with Jabril in this program. One of the highlights was creating a song to record in the AAW recording studio. This class is the highlight of their week!

We are blown away with this beautiful new space in Long Beach, and what an incredible opportunity to participate in Bixby Knolls, First Fridays - This gives the disabled community so much visibility and supports the inclusive community we are fighting for. As we move through this journey of raising a young person with disabilities, we are comforted knowing that programs like this THRIVE in our community. We can’t believe we were so lucky to find you! But we are so glad we did, Thank you!"  Noel, parent of Able ARTS Work Clinic client