Alisal Center for the Fine Arts Inc

ACFA is a family and all are welcome. For 35 years, ACFA has offered the East Salinas and surrounding communities cost-free arts education programs. In addition, ACFA provides a safe space that is in a way a second home to students who go straight to the center after school. Students are exposed to mentors, teachers, and role models who encourage creative expression, community engagement and guidance to higher education. Students, parents, and teachers benefits from being part of the ACFA family. 

Testimonials:

At ACFA we found other options that gave my children a different path than the continued violence in our city.   My Mr. Estrada teaching classical guitar to elementary and middle school students. children always took classes at ACFA—one took up Aztec Dancing and two others picked up guitars lessons. While the oldest of my sons became an extraordinary guitar player, it is my youngest, Richard Andrade, that I am most proud. Richard started attending guitar lessons at ACFA at the tender age of six, with the Rondalla de Alisal and is now following in the footsteps of his mentor by teaching at ACFA.  

Intermediate guitar class performance for Dia De Los Muertos at the Steinbeck Center, Salinas. "ACFA has helped students, like myself, get out of our comfort zone by providing a second home where they can feel safe and get to interact with people to create bonds. When I first started attending guitar classes at ACFA, five years ago, I was shy and a reticent person. The teachers were able to make me feel comfortable, which led me to open up. As I started to perform with them, I got the confidence that I never had. Now, I can do a better job at public speaking and open about doing different activities. The teachers not only teach us about music, but they also show that they care about their students by asking them how their lives outside of class are and give us advice when we need them the most."~Marlene Hernandez Martinez, ACFA Student

Being able to provide families with a safe space for children while teaching them fine arts, leadership skills, and the importance of higher education is what ACFA strives to achieve. We are only able to continue this work with the generous support from our donors.