Grantee Database

WHITE HALL ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION

Grant Year

2024-25

Grant Program

Creative Youth Development

Award Amount

$16,203.00

Project Description

Funds will support our Soundworks workforce development program that trains justice-affected and transitional aged foster youth in live sound engineering and lighting, then provides internship opportunities within the entertainment industry. Soundworks aims to equip young individuals with valuable technical skills and work experience in the entertainment industry preparing them to participate in the creative economy. We strive to bridge the gap between mental health, social emotional learning, arts development, and creative expression by creating educational arts programming to youth and young adults with the end goal of producing quality live and digital productions.

Organization Summary

Soundworks is a workforce development program that trains justice-affected and transitional aged foster youth ages 18–24 in audio engineering, lighting design, and video production. Participants gain technical skills and hands-on experience in live entertainment, positioning them for apprenticeships and careers in the creative economy.

Saturday Sessions combines the HeARTbeats and Project MuszEd programs to deliver inclusive arts education year-round. HeARTbeats serves ages 4–12 with group classes in drums, violin, guitar, piano, singing, and dance. Project MuszEd offers conservatory-level instruction in music production, acting, and songwriting for teens and young adults. Each cycle serves over 60 students and culminates in a showcase to foster confidence and community pride. Funding supports class materials, instructors, and outreach. Classes run in 4- and 8-week sessions.

Private Music Lesson Scholarships provide over $20,000 annually in free lessons for children in underserved communities and youth impacted by foster care.

H.O.P.E. Choir and Ensemble are intergenerational performing groups that empower participants to engage in community through music. These groups uplift audiences with performances for organizations like United Airlines, LA Metro, CASA-LA, and the Taste of Soul Festival.

JAMM-U brings music instruction to youth with limited access to instruments. Students receive training in guitar, vocals, and production at partner sites across South Los Angeles, including Crete Academy, Watts Learning Center, and Birdie V. Lee Bright Elementary School.

Rock The Block is our signature annual wellness festival, drawing over 3,000 attendees to celebrate music, community empowerment, and wellbeing. With live performances, panel discussions, health services, youth activities, and clean energy showcases, the event reflects our mission to strengthen South LA through the arts.

Organization

White Hall Arts Academy

Address

2812 W 54TH ST

LOS ANGELES

90043-4824

County

Los Angeles

Region

South – Los Angeles & Orange

Phone

(424) 235-0665

Congressional District

California Assembly district 55

State Assembly District

District CA-37

State Senate District

District 28

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