With support from the California Arts Council, Root Division will continue to sustain and enhance studios, exhibitions, and arts educational programming that supports emerging BIPOC artists while engaging communities of color in authentic, intentional, and culturally responsive ways. Funds will be used to support Root Division’s 2024-25 programming, staffing, and operational costs as the organization continues its unique studios incubator, offers free dynamic youth arts programming, develops new projects and exhibitions, and supports the continued development of empowering leadership and shared knowledge. Across its core programs, RD is focused on supporting and nurturing historically marginalized communities, specifically artists, educators, curators, and youth who identify as BIPOC, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+.
Root Division’s ecosystem includes 4 interconnected programs: In our unique incubator Studios Program we offer discounted space to artists who each volunteer 8 hours of service per month. Artists spend this time teaching free art classes in the Youth Education Program, instructing courses in the Adult Education Program, and/or supporting the Exhibitions & Events Program. We link various interests & audiences in a mutually beneficial relationship making art, artists & arts education more accessible while cultivating artists who give back.
Since 2002, Root Division has provided 290+ artists with studios; empowered 480 artists to teach; provided 8,000+ hours of free art classes for neighborhood youth; hosted adult art classes for 4,400 students; exhibited 4,700+ artists; been a gathering place for 75,000 visitors to meet artists & see artwork; sold over $1.27M of emerging artwork; & developed partnerships with two-dozen public schools/ community centers & 180 local businesses.

