ArtsLB serves the people of Long Beach through three levels of programming:

1. Public Art

ArtsLB sponsors about seven large-scale public art projects yearly. Local artists, community members and participants in our educational programming work together to help design and execute the artworks. We promote our city’s existing public art resources through the Long Beach Public Art Archive, an online resource that documents our city’s public art.

2. Support for Local Artists and Arts Institutions

ArtsLB directly supports our city’s professional artists and arts organizations through grant programs and public art commissions. Our Professional Artist Fellowship program provides funds to Long Beach professional artists to create and present community-centered work. Micro Grants give local artists and community leaders the funds they need for professional development or for artistic activation.

Our Organizational Grant programs provide substantial support to local arts and cultural institutions. Our project-based Community Projects grants support single arts projects.

3. Arts Learning

ArtsLB provides community-based arts education programming for about 3,200 children in under-funded neighborhoods who would not otherwise receive it. We operate two primary arts learning programs: “Eye on Design” and “Go Make Something, Kids!”

“Eye on Design” is an in-school and after-school public art education program serving underserved middle and high school students. This sequential, hands-on program teaches the basics of visual arts, including color theory, perspective, and composition, through the lens of hyperlocal public art. The program culminates in the creation and installation of a public art mosaic, designed and created by the students.

“Go Make Something, Kids!” encourages 200 middle school students to generate their own art under the guidance of some of Long Beach’s most acclaimed professional artists. Students use the arts to constructively express, explore, and engage with their emotions and experiences.