Youth ARTS Alive seeks to enhance the cultural life of underserved communities through access to free, culturally responsive classes for children ages 8 to 18 in the performing and visual arts as an alternative to gang violence. It is our goal to bring working artists into our most economically challenged communities to share their skills and passion for the arts to inspire our children to believe in themselves and their potential to succeed. We look to provide arts education that is culturally uplifting and community building. Youth ARTS Alive also provides mentorship opportunities to ages 18-24 through internships in each of our areas in the visual and performing arts. Not only do we provide free arts education in the summer, but we work year-round lobbying the City and its school boards for more funding and resources to reach more children in Santa Maria’s underserved communities. We see equal access to the arts as a fundamental human right, and we work to bring that to all.