With support from the California Arts Council, Creativity Explored will launch Imaginate Youth, a 4-month art-making series for over 100 disabled transition-aged youth (18-22) in San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Through this project, disabled young people will learn about the art-making and curation processes.
CE offers safe and accessible studio space and resources for artists with developmental disabilities to work and gain positive career opportunities. Our gallery, which provides professional exhibition opportunities for disabled artists, is a must-see attraction for thousands of locals and international visitors each year. CE artists earn 50% of the proceeds from each sale and 40% of licensing royalties. As a result of CE programming, disabled artists learn skills, earn income, and gain independence. To date, CE artists have earned over $2.2 million from their artwork, and many have achieved international recognition. In addition to being included in numerous private collections, artwork by CE studio artists has been shown in museums and galleries in 14 countries.
CE has recently implemented bold plans to become an intergenerational organization, developing youth offerings designed to appropriately address students’ needs across ages, settings, and abilities. In 2023, we launched Imaginate Youth, a series of workshops designed to support transition-aged youth with disabilities in collaboration with transition programs at local schools. In 2024, we launched Imaginate YA, an after-school program for transition-aged youth and in 2025 we will launch Camp Imaginate, an inclusive summer camp for middle and high school youth. Adult CE artists support all of these programs through paid opportunities, demonstrating their art practices and supporting youth with disabilities as mentors.

