With support from the California Arts Council, ENCORE PROGRAMS INC A NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION will continue and expand our unique arts based therapeutic program in Orange County. This Arts Exposure Project, first funded by CAC in 2023-24, ressurected our long standing commitment to arts based DEI oriented services, after a long interruption due to state budget cuts and the Covid pandemic. The financial support has resulted in many first time ventures and further support will allow us to greatly expand our reach into new culturally based events, workshops, and exhibits. Our participants have greatly benefited from these excursion, but they have been confined to nearby events due to transportation costs. Further support will allow to travel further afield, and participate in additional events.
Encore Programs offer two programs based on the creative arts: Encore as a vocational and occupational program and Creative and Vocational Arts (CAVA) as a therapeutic arts program for dual diagnosed adults who are developmentally disabled. Encore Programs uses an Arts based approach (Visual, Music, and Drama) to teach the skills necessary to integrate more closely with their surrounding communities. To that end , students are trained in the arts, given opportunities to enter and participate in exhibits and performances and learn about the Arts Industry should they ever apply for volunteer programs or jobs. They use the therapeutic components of our approach to manage their own behaviors and life stressors.

