With support from the California Arts Council, Artists Ink will provide a competitive salary for Creative Leaders and TXO Mentors and Artists to develop, implement designs and teach multidisciplinary art programs at cost to the community year-around in Salinas Valley youth ages 7-19.
Teatro Xochitl Ollin (TXO): Youth storytelling collective offering theater, animation, radio plays, photography, and film. Youth produce original and published works exploring community history, culture, and pressing social issues. The program fosters dialogue and critical thinking and is provided in the schools and districts throughout Monterey County as well as special partnerships with reparatory theaters both locally and throughout the region.
CEPANOA Arts: Supports young and emerging artists through music, mixed media, performing, and visual arts. The program features 15–20 professional guest artists annually, offering mentorship and career insights. Weekly open studio sessions provide students with materials and space to experiment, collaborate, and build community.
YOLI Arts: Expands arts access in schools through vibrant in-school and after-school programming. Students explore illustration, design, clay, animation, painting, printmaking, music, creative writing, acting, film and more. The program fosters creativity, emotional intelligence, and essential 21st-century skills while introducing pathways to arts careers.
YOLI Music: Blends traditional and modern music education with multimedia exploration. Students study music history, composition, and production, discovering their own artistic voice. YOLI Music programs are offered at Fairview Middle School, Gonzales High School, and across various school districts throughout Monterey County.
Craft & Cultura Art Market: Vibrant community marketplace in Oldtown Salinas between 228 and 232 Main Street. It uplifts local artists of all backgrounds by providing an inclusive and free space to sell and showcase original work. The market fosters mentorship, collaboration, and celebrates artists at all career stages.
Artists Ink Mural Arts Team: A collective of teaching artists and professional muralists dedicated to transforming schools and public spaces into vibrant reflections of community identity, youth voice, and cultural storytelling. Our team works collaboratively with students, educators, and local partners to teach the history and practice of mural and street art while designing and installing impactful, large-scale public artworks.

