Young Arts Arizona Ltd

Young Arts Arizona Ltd. is a community organization that serves challenged children through the arts. Through art making and exhibition, children are acknowledged and celebrated - often for the first time in their young lives. We make a difference in children's lives by giving them a chance to express themselves through art. We make a difference in the community by bringing art to the people through our exhibits in public buildings!

Children who are sick or have difficult medical conditions make art in our workshops. It takes their mind off of being in a hospital and not feeling well. Children who are detained and have been dealt a bad hand in their young lives can do no wrong while making art.

It is these most vulnerable members of our community that we at Young Arts are able to serve through the arts.

And, uniquely, we exhibit these children's art all over the community! In 27 public buildings you can find children's art exhibited by Young Arts. People from all walks of life get to see beautifully framed artwork while going about their daily business. Our legislators and lawmakers can see children's art at Arizona State Senate and Arizona State Capitol.

This exposure is so important in advocating for the importance of art in our children's lives. It also enlightens many people about what kind of difficulties these young people face.

Most significantly, the children, knowing that their art is going to be seen and admired by thousands of people, are able to feel pride and a sense of accomplishment. They are acknowledged and celebrated for their creations and in this way have a chance to develop a positive sense of self.

A Little Bit about Young Arts Arizona:

Young Arts is a collaborative organization. Our partners consist of 49 schools, 37 agencies and 29 gallery venues, as well as 3 school districts and several art therapists who teach our workshops.

Annually, Young Arts shows over 90 exhibits in which nearly 2000 pieces of children’s art are displayed. Over a million community members see these exhibits every year.

This vast community outreach touches people from all over Arizona who visit the buildings in which our galleries are located – some of which include Arizona State Capitol, Phoenix City Council offices, Arizona State Senate, several hospitals, Phoenix Art Museum, and more.

Young Arts teaches art to children in a variety of agencies. These children are in rehab for physical disabilities, inpatients in hospitals, cancer patients, or children in respite care. In all of these agencies we also exhibit art, so the children see their own work. This audience is one of the most important because the children are empowered to feel good about their creations and themselves when they see their art on a gallery wall for all to admire.

Young Arts also has its own gallery, Purple Space, in which opening receptions are held for the young artists, their friends and families, as well as the public.

Since 1999, Young Arts has served thousands of children and the Arizona community by showing over 21,500 pieces of children’s art in 900+ exhibits that have been seen by more than 14.5 million audience members.

We achieve this enormous reach with a small staff of 6. You can help us continue to serve children who are most in need of feeling worthwhile and important.