The art of us
P.S. ARTS is dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for children and youth by providing arts education in systemically under-resourced public schools and communities.
WHO WE ARE
For more than 30 years, P.S. ARTS has provided nationally recognized arts education programs to tens of thousands of students attending under-resourced public elementary and middle schools. P.S. ARTS not only provides in-school instruction with highly trained professional artists but also offers after school programming, community events, as well as a wide scope of educator development opportunities.
P.S. ARTS has grown from serving 250 children in one school district to more than 30,000 students across Southern and Central California school districts. With this growth, P.S. ARTS has gained a national reputation for providing exemplar arts education that aligns with school, state, and federal educational priorities.
MISSION
P.S. ARTS is dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for children and youth by providing arts education in systemically under-resourced public schools and communities.
Values
- Artistic Expression
- Community
- Excellence
- Equity
- Innovation
VISion
Every child in America has access to high quality arts education
P.S. ARTS is made of...
24 Staff Members
94 teaching artists
Female: 81
Male: 31
Nonbinary: 6
Our employee's age range
The average age of a P.S. ARTS employee: 41
Teaching Artists by Discipline
Dance: 13
Music: 7
Theater: 40
Visual: 34
Our students
Years of
service
less than 1: 7
1 – 4: 75
5 – 9: 16
10 – 14: 14
15 – 19: 1
20 – 24: 4
25+: 1
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING
P.S. ARTS provides arts education in the public education system in its pursuit of social justice because it allows a broad-scale opportunity to empower students as engaged artists and innovators in the world.
Meet Members of our staff!
Gaby Palmadessa, Sr. Development Manager
Kyler Tagupa, Program Coordinator, Classroom Studio
Noreen McGonigle, Advancement Associate
Staff days
Staff Days at P.S. ARTS are an opportunity for the team to come together and engage in creative and meaningful experiences. These gatherings foster connection, learning, and joy, allowing staff to step away from their daily routines and strengthen their sense of community.
A past Staff Day featured a scavenger hunt in the office’s neighborhood of Historic Filipinotown, encouraging team members to explore local landmarks and learn about the area’s rich history. Along the way, staff picked up food from neighborhood eateries and returned to the office to share a meal together. Whether through collaborative art activities or cultural explorations, Staff Days reflect P.S. ARTS’ commitment to creativity and collective well-being.
secret crafty pal
Every holiday season, P.S. ARTS staff take part in a tradition called Secret Crafty Pal, a fun and creative gift exchange that reflects the caring and artistic spirit of P.S. ARTS. Staff members draw names and craft handmade gifts based on their recipient’s interests, using their skills to create a one-of-a-kind expression of thoughtfulness and creativity. This tradition not only celebrates the talent within the team but also strengthens our connections through the joy of creativity.
Our office!
In July 2024, the P.S. ARTS offices relocated to the Children’s Institute, Inc. (CII) campus in Historic Filipinotown. This move was a significant milestone in P.S. ARTS’ journey to service public schools and communities through arts education as it extended the organization’s reach and increased its impact. The co-location also marked a new model for P.S. ARTS and CII as nonprofits working together, aligning needs and resources to better service their communities.
How we do it?
Equity in Arts Education
P.S. ARTS advocates for students’ educational rights, bridging opportunity gaps in public education so that all students can benefit from the transformative power of the arts.
High-Quality Programs for Every Student
P.S. ARTS delivers arts programs designed to meet the highest standards, from in class instruction with trained, professional teaching artists, to after school and summer programs, as well as educator training.
Supporting Schools with Customizable Wraparound Services
P.S. ARTS works closely with schools and districts to provide wraparound services that address the unique needs of each community.
The Role of Arts in Human Rights
Artistic expression is an essential human right. Every child deserves access to a high-quality arts education to ensure equitable opportunities to thrive academically and creatively.
The Joy of Creativity as an Essential Part of Learning
Through arts education, P.S. ARTS cultivates the joy of creativity and artistic expression as vital components of learning and growing.
Learn more about us!
To learn more about us,
and remember,
you have the freedom to imagine and the power to create!
