The heart of our organization is our Mobile Outreach Art Programs (Community Outreach) which brings art experiences all over the Coachella Valley to those who do not have the means for transportation to come to us for art classes. The majority of our art instruction and supplies are offered on a no-fee-basis to the students we serve. We have programs for elderly, youth, Veterans, people living with Alzheimer’s and people with a variety of behavioral challenges. We also serve many schools, senior centers, Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA’s. Additionally, We offer a Digital Arts class that is free to young adults.

At our beautiful, tranquil studio campus in Old Town La Quinta, we offer a wide variety of fee-based classes ranging from Pottery Wheel, clay hand-building, water color painting, acrylic/oil painting, fused glass, blowing, glass mosaic, paint your own pottery (PYOP) and summer art camp for children. The fees collected from our paid classes help to fuel the funding for our Outreach Programs.

In addition to visual art classes and programs, we provide community events such as outdoor “Art of Music” concerts and free community family-friendly events such as “Open Mic Night” and “Gingerbread Lane” – a festive family activity-filled day of ornament and cookie decorating, all-day live local entertainment and treats drawing over 2,600 attendees in the month of December.

We believe that OTAS art experiences are transformational for people of all ages, and everyone should be able to enjoy the healing benefits of creating art, regardless of their ability and financial means.