ArtReach
Artists and WritersCalifornia, United States11-50 Employees
ArtReach San Diego ignites youth creativity through visual arts expression and community connection. We believe that every person, regardless of zip code, background, or ability, deserves access to the joy, confidence, and growth that come from making art. Founded in 2007, ArtReach exists to increase access to visual arts education by connecting people with professional artists through programs that inspire creative thinking and creative doing. What began as a small initiative to fill the arts gap in local schools has grown into a countywide movement reaching more than 12,000 youth and families each year. Our In-School Programs bring artist-led residencies to K–12 schools across San Diego County, focusing on Title I and high-need sites where arts education is limited or nonexistent. Through sequential, standards-based lessons, students explore visual arts techniques, art history, and self-expression while developing social-emotional skills that support their overall well-being. At our Hillcrest Community Arts Center, we host free and low-cost studio programs that welcome all ages. Early childhood classes link literacy and art, after-school programs encourage creative growth, and family workshops, sensory art experiences, and intergenerational events strengthen connection through creativity. ArtReach also leads mural projects that transform spaces and amplify community voice. From youth-designed murals at schools to collaborative public artworks and professional commercial commissions that support our nonprofit mission, our murals celebrate identity and pride across San Diego. Across every program, we center inclusion, collaboration, and access. Our team of local teaching artists creates safe, welcoming spaces where creativity thrives and community bonds are built. Whether in a classroom, at our studio, or on a city wall, ArtReach ensures that art is accessible, empowering, and truly for everyone.