With support from the California Arts Council, Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE) will implement the ¡Viva la Cultura Más! project. ¡Viva la Cultura Más! will consist of the creation and production of two culturally significant performances/events created, produced, and performed by local Latino artists whose connections with SPACE have been growing and deepening as a result of SPACE’s dedicated arts engagement activities over the past 24 years.
SPACE currently offers over 40 classes-a-week, including:
Music Together/Rhythm Kids – Music program for children ages infant through 7.
Teen Performing Groups – Advanced performing groups for ages 13-18.
Teen Intern Training Program – Offering youth job experience and job-related skills in working with children as well as working in technical theater. Participants have gone on to teach at SPACE and other regional and national theaters. Students often list their SPACE Intern Certificate of Completion on their college and job applications.
Performance Workshop – 30 students rehearse and perform a fully-staged musical theater production; 1200 school children attend school day matinees at SPACE Theater.
Dance/Theater – Students rehearse and perform fully-staged, theme-based shows created from interviews with participants that address social norms, drug & alcohol abuse prevention, social media addiction, bullying, unlearning racism and gender issues specifically focused on rural youth and families.
Latino Community Engagement – Engaging the Latino community as creators, producers, and audience in 2 annual productions.
Spring & Winter Dance Festivals – 300+ dancers and singers ages 7 to teens with guest artists, perform in several weekends of shows in December and May.
Wanna Dance Latin & Social Dance –Ongoing event on the first Saturday of every month, includes diverse local and regional teachers sharing social dance.
Classes & Summer Camps – After-school music, dance, acting, voice classes and summer camps for ages infant to 18 yrs.
Contract with Ukiah Unified School District – Performing arts instruction to over 2,200 K-12th graders and to South Valley High School students.
Art Exploration – Small groups of children work with master artists to create art using a wide variety of materials.
All-Ability Arts – Providing access to the arts for children with disabilities; specialized instruction and accommodations are provided within each class to promote a safe space for self-expression and creativity.

