With support from the California Arts Council, Creative Identity (CI) will strengthen our organization’s ability to maintain the operations of our (2) fine arts day program locations in Orange County, CA. CI focuses on improving the quality of life and societal perceptions of underserved adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by providing music performance and expressive arts training, mentoring, and opportunities to engage with the fine arts community in a meaningful way. Creative Identity will use awarded funds to sustain general operating costs associated with our day programs, including rent, utilities, and staff salaries during times of unpredictable economic conditions.
CI provides participants (who are adults with IDD) opportunities to develop prevocational skills through participation in the fine arts, receive individualized professional fine arts instruction to improve their musical and artistic abilities, engage in various community music performances and art exhibitions, experience audience appreciation, and increase their self-esteem, well being, and connectedness with the community. CI offers services between 8:00am – 2:00pm Monday-Friday, year-round. Program participants can attend up to 5 days a week and receive (4) 50-minute classes each day.
CI’s Pre-vocational Empowerment Program (PEP) is an ongoing project that provides opportunities for program participants to increase their economic opportunities. Participants earn commissions on the sale of their artwork; develop transferable pre-vocational skills including attention span, social skills, self-esteem, and leadership skills; and develop personal communication, independence, personal responsibility, and self expression. The PEP helps our participants cultivate a sense of pride and connectivity with the community, and ultimately improve stereotypical societal perceptions by demonstrating the creative contributions of adults with IDD.

