Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts Education, Cultural & Ethnic Awareness, Visual Arts

Mission: The Richmond Art Center is a dynamic arts organization that empowers and transforms individuals and the community through creative exploration, experience and education.

Results: We provide free art-making classes to more than 1,200 children at local schools, community centers and libraries -- this number grows every year as our programs are in high demand Hosted 1,000 local children on field trips to tour our galleries and enjoy an art-making lesson last year - twice as many as the previous year. Established a professional development workshop to educate teachers on techniques for how to use art as a teaching tool for core curricula in our first Professional Development workshop in 2013

Target demographics: more children and adults gain access to art and to experience art making

Geographic areas served: Richmond, California

Programs: The Richmond Art Center has a long, colorful history dating to 1936, when it began with the vision of one woman and a suitcase packed with art supplies. Today, we are the largest visual arts center in the East Bay, delivering exciting art experiences to young and old alike who reflect the diverse richness of our community. We do this through hands-on learning, well-equipped studios, traveling Art in the Community programs and contemporary exhibitions in our galleries. Every year, thousands of students have the opportunity to create, see and learn about the visual arts through classes and programs taught by professional artists. Our four galleries attract thousands of visitors who enjoy rotating exhibitions displaying the works of emerging and established Bay Area artists. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on financial support from many sources of funding, including the City of Richmond, foundations, individuals and businesses.