After two years of virtual instruction, CalArts’ Community Arts Partnership (CAP) returns to in-person courses this summer. CAP’s award-winning co-curricular program has offered free, after-school art programs to Los Angeles County youth for more than 30 years.
From July 12 through Aug. 4, the Los Angeles Central Library hosts two, four-week workshops, one in zine-making and the other in digital media composition. Eligible participants must be current students between ages 12 and 18 and reside in LA County. Previous art experience is not necessary and art supplies will be provided for participants.
Additional CAP programming this summer at Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High School in Los Angeles includes in-person classes in music, dance, theater, visual arts, and film. The program at Dorsey will also be extended into the school year.
CAP is helmed by Veronica Alvarez, EdD, the Wallis Annenberg Director. Having worked in visual arts for 20 years, Alvarez’s past experiences include overseeing the Getty Villa’s docent program and serving as the director of School and Teacher Programs at LACMA. Alvarez said she feels that she greatly benefitted from access to the arts, and as a result, her work focuses on breaking down barriers so that others can have access to them as well.
Last season, CAP partnered with the Fernandeño Tataviam community, the Indigenous community located in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, to create a film program. CAP plans to work with the community again to develop another program this fall.
Alvarez also made the choice to incorporate guest speakers who discussed anti-racism as well as the art of healing in the training program for the summer teaching artists of CAP.
Visit the Community Arts Partnership site for additional information.
