Creative Identity’s mission is to improve the lives and societal perceptions of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing therapeutic and educational interventions that cultivate personal and social responsibilities, pre-vocational skills, independence, and creative potential.

Many opportunities are available to children with IDD for socialization and self-improvement, most of these become unavailable once they become adults and leave the educational system. CI’s unique approach allows participants to improve their socialization and prevocational skills while unleashing their often-untapped creative talents through art and music. Many program participants come from underserved communities where arts programs have been reduced or eliminated entirely, and for some it is the first time they have been allowed to express themselves through music and art. CI provides much needed social support for these individuals in addition to offering them an opportunity to learn new skills through painting, ceramics, jewelry making, singing, and playing musical instruments. Individuals with IDD are used to being GIVEN TO. CI’s programs allow them the rare opportunity to GIVE BACK to their communities in the form of music performances and art shows, which in turn gives the general public alternate views of this often-marginalized group.

Our purpose can be seen through examples such as annual community concerts and art exhibitions hosted by CI and also performances with community partners like the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ All Abilities Festival (2018-present) and the Orange County Department of Education’s Very Special Arts Festival (1997-present). At the Muzeo in Anaheim, participants presented art exhibitions entitled Transcending Boundaries (2014 & 2019) and The Art of Jazz concert and art exhibition, which also included non-disabled artists and musicians (2015).