DSTL Arts

DSTL Arts is a nonprofit arts mentorship organization that teaches, inspires, and hires creative at-risk youth, ages 16–21 years old.

This mission is accomplished through a unique combination of arts education and mentorship programs that serve at-risk youth who are either 1) low-income, 2) have a physical or learning disability, or who are 3) current or former foster youth. Additionally, this mission is accomplished through the education and engagement of the adult community that supports these youth in the arts.

In 2013, we started with only 3 students, soon growing to 8 regular attending students in 2014, and 15 students in 2015. This upward trend in enrollment has continued to grow ever since.

Thanks to our focus on mentorship and artistic development, 63% of our students have been able to find jobs thanks to our work-readiness curriculum, while 88% of our students show renewed interest in their academic goals, aspiring toward an arts-related education. We have also seen our youth acheive major artistic accomplishments, including the official title of Youth Poetry Ambassador for the County of Los Angeles bestowed upon our students, Laura Davila and Angelica Castañeda.

With a unique model for providing arts and career-readiness education, DSTL Arts is making life-long connections with "at-risk" youth who show very high promise as part of our Creative Economy.