About us

Where Young Minds and Artistic Passion Converge

CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is a dynamic, non-profit organization that serves as a vital creative hub for young people throughout the Central Valley, offering robust, high-quality programs in visual arts, performing arts, and digital media. Our organization is built on the principle that every young person possesses an inherent creative potential that, when nurtured with expert guidance and a positive environment, can lead to incredible personal growth and achievement, far beyond the confines of the studio or stage. We staff our programs with highly qualified practicing artists and dedicated educators who bring real-world experience and a deep passion for teaching, ensuring that every student receives instruction that is both technically excellent and profoundly inspiring, preparing them not just for showcases, but for life. We commit to keeping our programs accessible to all families in our community, striving to remove barriers to entry so that the power of artistic expression is available to every child in Ceres and the surrounding regions, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of our entire area.

Our Story

The Journey of CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS

The genesis of CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS was rooted in a profound recognition of a need within the Ceres and greater Central Valley community for a dedicated, accessible space where artistic ambition in young people could be professionally nurtured. A group of local educators and practicing artists, deeply concerned about the limited availability of high-quality arts education outside of specialized private lessons, banded together with a singular vision: to create a vibrant, inclusive arts center that would be a beacon for all youth, regardless of their socio-economic background or prior experience. The journey began modestly in 2015 with a handful of dedicated volunteers and two initial painting classes held in a borrowed community room, quickly demonstrating the immense appetite for our offerings and confirming the founding team’s conviction that the arts are an essential element missing from many young lives. This early, resounding success validated our initial purpose and fueled the momentum to expand our offerings, solidifying our status as an essential resource dedicated to the cultural and educational enrichment of the region.

What We Do

Building Skills, Fostering Expression, and Changing Lives Through Art

At CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS, what we do is fundamentally transform potential into tangible creative capability, providing a safe, challenging, and inspiring environment for youth ages four through eighteen to immerse themselves in diverse artistic disciplines. Our comprehensive program structure is intentionally layered, offering foundational courses that introduce concepts like color theory, composition, and basic drawing techniques, alongside specialized workshops in areas like ceramics, musical theatre, animation, and poetry, allowing students to deepen their focus as their interests mature. We operate year-round with semester-long courses, dynamic holiday camps, and intensive summer institutes, ensuring that artistic opportunities are consistently available and integrated into the lives of our young participants, establishing a reliable and enriching routine. Through these structured learning environments, every young artist is empowered to move beyond imitation toward genuine invention, finding their unique signature style and confidently sharing their imaginative world with others.

Our Mission

Our Commitment to the Next Generation of Artists and Innovators

CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is more than just an organization; it’s a vibrant community dedicated to fostering creativity in young individuals. Our mission is to provide exceptional programs, mentorship from passionate artists, and a supportive environment that encourages self-expression and artistic exploration. Whether you’re a budding artist or looking to refine your skills, we welcome you to join us on this enriching journey towards artistic fulfillment. We view this mission as a sacred trust, dedicating our resources and our team’s energy to ensuring that every young person who comes through our doors leaves with a greater sense of personal agency and a deeper appreciation for the power of the arts to shape culture and spark social discourse. By maintaining a sharp focus on the quality of our instruction and the supportive nature of our community, we are actively fulfilling our role as a critical pipeline for creative talent and intellectual curiosity in the Central Valley, making art an undeniable force for good.

Our vision

Looking Ahead: An Artistically Thriving Community

The long-term vision of CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is to see the Central Valley recognized as a major regional center for youth artistic development, where access to high-quality, professional arts education is not a privilege but an expected component of every child’s upbringing. To achieve this, we are committed to significant future expansion, including the establishment of an endowment fund to ensure program sustainability and the creation of a comprehensive scholarship program that guarantees access to our conservatory-level track for all talented youth, regardless of their family’s financial standing. We also envision launching dedicated, highly specialized studios for emerging digital arts, such as 3D modeling and game design, in direct response to the demands of the twenty-first-century creative economy, positioning our graduates for success in rapidly evolving fields. Ultimately, our future goals are intrinsically tied to the cultural vitality of Ceres and beyond: we aim to be the indispensable organization that transforms the regional landscape by continuously feeding it with confident, artistically articulate, and innovative young leaders.

Our values

The Core Principles Guiding Every Brushstroke

Our operations and instruction are firmly anchored by a set of core values, starting with Inclusivity, which demands that our studios and programs are welcoming to young people from all cultural, economic, and experience backgrounds, celebrating the diversity of perspective that enriches all art. We prioritize Excellence by committing to professional-grade instruction, meticulously maintained facilities, and high standards for mentorship, ensuring that every program we offer is of the highest possible quality. Mentorship is a critical value, differentiating us from general instruction by prioritizing deep, meaningful relationships between students and experienced artists who serve as guides, role models, and advocates for the students’ artistic development. Finally, Joyful Exploration underscores everything we do, ensuring that while the work is serious, the process is fundamentally fun, non-judgmental, and free from the pressure of perfection, allowing true creativity to flourish in an atmosphere of encouragement and boundless curiosity.

Our impact

Measuring Success Beyond the Canvas

The impact of CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS extends far beyond the number of art pieces created or performances staged, fundamentally shaping the intellectual and emotional well-being of the youth we serve and contributing significantly to the cultural fabric of the Central Valley. Quantifiably, our success is seen in the professional-grade portfolios that our high school students compile, which have successfully led to acceptance into prestigious art colleges and university programs across the nation, validating the rigor of our advanced curricula. Qualitatively, our deepest impact is evidenced by the profound increase in student self-efficacy, demonstrated by their willingness to take creative risks, their ability to articulate complex feelings and ideas through their work, and their improved focus and patience in academic settings. Furthermore, our community contributions include organizing public art projects and student showcases that inject creativity directly into the public sphere of Ceres, transforming shared spaces and demonstrating the enduring value of investing in young artistic talent.

Our Team

Experienced Professionals with a Passion for Youth Development

1. Sarah Chen, Director of Visual Arts & Mentor

Sarah Chen brings over fifteen years of experience as a professional abstract painter and art educator, holding a Master of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute, which informs her deep understanding of modern and contemporary artistic practices. Before joining CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS, she managed a highly successful private studio and gallery, and she continues to exhibit her work in major California galleries, keeping her perspective fresh and relevant for her students. Her teaching approach is characterized by a unique combination of technical rigor—insisting on mastery of foundational skills in drawing and color theory—and a profoundly open, exploratory spirit, encouraging young artists to break conventional rules only after they understand them. Sarah’s students consistently praise her ability to connect difficult concepts to real-world artistic application, helping them build professional-grade portfolios while fostering a lifelong passion for continuous self-improvement and artistic inquiry. She firmly believes the role of a mentor is to help students find their voice, not merely to train them to imitate others.

2. Marcus Jones, Head of Performing Arts & Drama Instructor

Marcus Jones is a highly versatile professional actor and director with extensive experience on regional stages and in independent film production, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. He focuses his instruction on techniques that build genuine confidence and emotional availability in his students, utilizing methods that draw from improvisation, method acting, and voice and movement training to create well-rounded performers. Marcus is particularly adept at working with shy or hesitant students, employing patience and humor to unlock their expressive potential and help them command a stage, translating into improved public speaking and social confidence in their everyday lives. His bio is distinguished by his collaborative spirit, as he frequently directs student showcases and works closely with the visual arts team to design sets and promotional materials, ensuring a multidisciplinary experience for all involved, making the performing arts program at CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS a truly dynamic environment.

3. Dr. Elena Rodriguez, Lead Digital Media & Design Instructor

Dr. Elena Rodriguez holds a Ph.D. in Digital Art History and Media Studies, bringing an advanced academic understanding of technology’s role in the creative sphere, combined with practical expertise in graphic design, 2D animation, and advanced video editing software. Her professional background includes consulting work for tech startups on user experience (UX) design, providing her students with an invaluable, career-oriented perspective on how digital art is used in the modern workforce. Dr. Rodriguez is known for designing cutting-edge curriculum that seamlessly blends artistic principles with technological competency, teaching students not just how to use software, but how to harness its power to communicate complex ideas effectively and ethically. She is deeply committed to demystifying the digital world, ensuring that even the youngest students feel comfortable navigating complex creative suites, preparing them for portfolio submissions in competitive fields, and inspiring them to see technology as another canvas for boundless creativity.

4. David Kim, Studio Manager & Ceramics Instructor

David Kim is the organizational backbone of the studios and a masterful ceramics artist, who completed a rigorous apprenticeship with a master potter before bringing his traditional and contemporary skills to our organization. His role is dual: he ensures the smooth, safe, and efficient operation of all our physical studio spaces, from kiln maintenance to material inventory, and he teaches our highly popular ceramics and sculpture programs. David’s approach emphasizes discipline and respect for the materials, teaching students the therapeutic value of working with clay and the patience required for three-dimensional art, instilling in them a strong work ethic and attention to detail. His extensive bio reflects his patient, hands-on teaching style, where he moves tirelessly between students, offering precise, targeted technical corrections while consistently encouraging them to infuse their work with personal narrative and meaning, resulting in a ceramics program that is both meditative and highly productive.

Our Work

Mastering Techniques, Inspiring Curiosity

The Education & Learning pillar forms the foundational structure of all our programs at CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS, meticulously designed to ensure every student gains a deep, transferable understanding of artistic principles and historical contexts, regardless of their chosen medium. Our curriculum is structured systematically, beginning with foundational coursework in visual literacy, drawing fundamentals, and color theory, providing the essential tools necessary for complex creative work, much like learning grammar before writing a novel. This systematic instruction progresses to specialized, intermediate, and advanced courses, where students apply core principles to specific disciplines such as oil painting, darkroom photography, architectural drawing, or advanced character design, always connecting contemporary practices back to the rich history of art and culture. We employ a rigorous, yet accessible, teaching model that combines formal lecture and demonstration with intense, personalized studio time, thereby ensuring students master complex techniques while cultivating the intellectual curiosity required to continuously seek knowledge and innovation throughout their artistic careers.

Play & Exploration

The Freedom to Experiment and Discover Personal Style

Central to our philosophy is the Play & Exploration pillar, which recognizes that creativity thrives in an environment free from the rigid pressures of immediate perfection, deliberately setting aside time and space for joyful, uninhibited experimentation. We purposefully introduce students to unusual materials, unconventional combinations of media, and open-ended projects that have no predefined right or wrong answer, encouraging them to embrace artistic risk-taking as an essential component of the creative process. In this supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere, failure is openly celebrated as an opportunity for learning, and students are strongly encouraged to make messes, to discard work that isn’t serving their vision, and to pursue unexpected tangents that often lead to the discovery of their authentic, unique artistic voice and style. This focus on process over product is vital, enabling young artists to develop resilience, adaptability, and the critical problem-solving skills necessary to navigate the complexities of creative and personal challenges throughout their lives.

Social & Emotional Development

Building Confidence, Collaboration, and Empathy

The Social & Emotional Development pillar utilizes the creation and sharing of art as a powerful catalyst for enhancing self-esteem, improving communication skills, and cultivating a profound sense of empathy within our young participants. Through guided group critiques, students learn the essential professional skill of giving and receiving constructive feedback respectfully, transforming a potentially intimidating experience into a collaborative exchange that strengthens peer bonds and improves analytical ability. Performance and public exhibition opportunities serve as crucial exercises in self-confidence, allowing students to step outside their comfort zone and present their work or their performance to an audience, significantly boosting their stage presence and public articulation skills. Furthermore, the act of creating art is intrinsically therapeutic, providing a non-verbal outlet for processing complex emotions, while collaborative projects necessitate teamwork, negotiation, and compromise, all of which are essential life skills that ensure our students grow into emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and socially capable adults prepared to contribute positively to their wider communities.

Comprehensive Creative Offerings

Tailored Curricula Designed for Every Age and Artistic Interest

Our diverse array of programs and services is meticulously segmented by age and experience level to ensure that every young artist receives instruction that is appropriately challenging and highly engaging, fostering continuous skill development from early childhood through high school graduation. We begin with our Little Artists program for ages 4-7, focusing on sensorial exploration, motor skill development, and foundational concepts through guided play with safe materials, building confidence in a nurturing atmosphere. This transitions into the Emerging Talents track for ages 8-12, where students delve into core concepts like perspective, portraiture, and narrative structure, experimenting across multiple mediums before they choose an area of specialization. Our Conservatory Track for ages 13-18 provides intensive, portfolio-driven study in visual arts, digital media, and performance, with students completing advanced coursework designed to mirror collegiate-level study, preparing them for competitive academic and career paths, all within the exceptional artistic community of CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS. The curriculum within each track is continually updated by our professional mentors to reflect the latest artistic techniques and industry trends, ensuring that our students always receive the most relevant and high-quality arts education available.

Community & Engagement

Family Involvement and Supportive Partnership

The success of every young artist at CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is inextricably linked to the supportive involvement of their family, which we actively foster through transparent communication and inclusive opportunities for participation within our vibrant creative community. We view our relationship with parents not just as transactional, but as a genuine partnership, relying on regular communication through personalized updates, quarterly parent-teacher meetings, and open studio hours where families are invited to observe the artistic process firsthand and engage with our professional mentors. We host several Family Workshop Days throughout the year, encouraging parents and children to collaborate on creative projects together, providing a unique bonding experience and giving parents insight into the curriculum and artistic techniques their children are mastering. Furthermore, our Parent Advisory Council plays a vital role in shaping program direction and ensuring our organization remains deeply reflective of and responsive to the needs of the diverse families we proudly serve in the Ceres and Central Valley area, making every family a valued part of the organization’s strategic vision.

Testimonials

Authentic Feedback from Our Valued Community

  1. Andrea M. (Child, Age Group 8-12): Before joining the painting workshop at CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS, my daughter, Clara, was very hesitant to even pick up a pencil, believing that if she couldn’t draw perfectly right away, she wasn’t good enough; the self-doubt was heartbreaking to watch. Now, after just one semester with her mentor, Sarah, she literally races to the studio, she understands that mistakes are necessary, and her confidence has soared not just in art, but in her schoolwork too, making the financial and time investment completely worthwhile because she’s finally found a place where she feels completely accepted and encouraged to just be creative.
  2. Rajesh K. (Child, Age Group 13-18): My son, Rohan, was considering a college path in film but had no technical portfolio or experience with advanced software, and the Conservatory Track here has been absolutely transformative for him; Dr. Rodriguez’s digital media class didn’t just teach him how to edit video, she taught him visual storytelling, composition, and the professional workflow needed for the industry. His portfolio now looks polished and competitive, and more importantly, he found a group of like-minded peers, providing a true community that supports his ambitious career goals, which is something we couldn’t find anywhere else in the Central Valley.
  3. Jessica L. (Child, Age Group 4-7): We enrolled our youngest, Leo, in the Little Artists program hoping to get him off the screen for a few hours a week, and the results have been phenomenal; he’s not just painting, he’s learning about textures, sharing materials, and following multi-step directions with incredible focus that has translated into calmer behavior at home and better concentration at pre-school. The warmth and patience of the instructors are evident every time we drop him off, and the fact that they encourage the process over the product has truly allowed him to develop a genuine love for making things without any performance anxiety.
  4. Michael and Sofia V. (Child, Age Group 8-12): Our daughter, Isabel, started in the drama program because she loves singing, but Marcus Jones and the team have developed her skills far beyond vocal performance, teaching her stage presence, improvisation, and how to project her voice with confidence, which has been life-changing for her. The collaboration she experienced during the last student play, working closely with other students to build props and costumes, showed her the value of teamwork and compromise in a way that felt authentic and exciting, truly cementing our family’s commitment to CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS as a long-term resource.
  5. Tanya R. (Child, Age Group 13-18): When my daughter needed to prepare a competitive portfolio for university applications, David Kim, our ceramics instructor, provided meticulous, tailored guidance that went above and beyond the call of duty; he helped her curate her pieces, photograph them professionally, and write compelling artist statements that truly articulated her vision and technical skills. His mentorship was critical not only in perfecting her craft but in instilling in her the professional discipline needed for a creative career, resulting in her being accepted into her top-choice college art program, which is a testament to the exceptional quality of instruction here.

Our Volunteer

Join Our Mission as a Volunteer

Lend Your Time and Talent to Inspire the Next Generation

Volunteering with CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is a deeply rewarding way to directly contribute your time, skills, and enthusiasm to the success of young artists and the overall cultural enrichment of the Central Valley community. We rely heavily on the dedication of our volunteers to ensure that our professional mentors can focus their energy on instruction, providing essential support roles across the organization that keep our creative ecosystem running smoothly and efficiently. We have flexible and fulfilling opportunities ranging from directly supporting our students as studio assistants—helping with material setup, clean-up, and general class organization—to assisting with administrative tasks, helping staff community events like our annual showcases, or lending expertise in areas such as grant writing, social media management, or photography. We provide comprehensive training and a warm, supportive atmosphere for all volunteers, ensuring they feel equipped and valued as true partners in our mission, making this a wonderful way to connect with like-minded, passionate community members.

The Tangible and Intangible Impact of Volunteering

Volunteering with CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is a deeply rewarding way to directly contribute your time, skills, and enthusiasm to the success of young artists and the overall cultural enrichment of the Central Valley community. We rely heavily on the dedication of our volunteers to ensure that our professional mentors can focus their energy on instruction, providing essential support roles across the organization that keep our creative ecosystem running smoothly and efficiently. We have flexible and fulfilling opportunities ranging from directly supporting our students as studio assistants—helping with material setup, clean-up, and general class organization—to assisting with administrative tasks, helping staff community events like our annual showcases, or lending expertise in areas such as grant writing, social media management, or photography. We provide comprehensive training and a warm, supportive atmosphere for all volunteers, ensuring they feel equipped and valued as true partners in our mission, making this a wonderful way to connect with like-minded, passionate community members.

Lend Your Time and Talent to Inspire the Next Generation

Volunteering with CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS is a deeply rewarding way to directly contribute your time, skills, and enthusiasm to the success of young artists and the overall cultural enrichment of the Central Valley community. We rely heavily on the dedication of our volunteers to ensure that our professional mentors can focus their energy on instruction, providing essential support roles across the organization that keep our creative ecosystem running smoothly and efficiently. We have flexible and fulfilling opportunities ranging from directly supporting our students as studio assistants—helping with material setup, clean-up, and general class organization—to assisting with administrative tasks, helping staff community events like our annual showcases, or lending expertise in areas such as grant writing, social media management, or photography. We provide comprehensive training and a warm, supportive atmosphere for all volunteers, ensuring they feel equipped and valued as true partners in our mission, making this a wonderful way to connect with like-minded, passionate community members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear Answers to Help You Begin Your Artistic Journey

What is the enrollment process for my child and when can we register?

Enrollment at CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS typically operates on a semester basis, with registration opening several weeks before the start of the fall, spring, and summer terms, and we strongly encourage early registration as many of our specialized classes fill up quickly due to small class sizes. The process begins with an online application form available on our website, followed by a brief placement consultation with one of our program coordinators to ensure your child is placed in the age-appropriate and skill-appropriate track, particularly for the advanced Conservatory level; you may also call us directly at our main office, and our staff will be delighted to guide you through the initial steps.

What measures does CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS take to ensure the safety and security of the students in the facility?

The safety and security of every young artist at our 2701 MITCHELL ROAD SUITE A facility is our absolute highest priority, and we maintain rigorous safety protocols that include mandatory background checks for all staff and volunteers, secure entry points to the building, and constant supervision of all students by trained, adult staff members during class hours and transitions. We also strictly adhere to all health and safety guidelines related to our specialized equipment, such as kilns and digital media workstations, ensuring proper material handling and studio procedures are taught and enforced in every classroom environment to minimize risk and maintain a creative, yet highly secure, learning space.

How are the curriculum and educational approach structured to accommodate different skill levels and ages?

Our comprehensive curriculum is intentionally layered and spiral-based, meaning foundational concepts are introduced early on and then revisited with increasing complexity as students progress through the age-segmented tracks, ensuring that beginners are not overwhelmed and advanced students remain consistently challenged. For our older students in the Conservatory Track (13-18), we offer a range of specialized electives that allow them to choose their focus, and our professional mentors utilize personalized instruction methods, often providing individual project briefs and critique sessions within a group setting to ensure that every student’s unique skill level and artistic goals are specifically addressed.

Does the organization provide materials, and is there a focus on any specific artistic medium or style?

For most of our core introductory and Emerging Talents classes, the tuition fees cover all necessary, high-quality art supplies, ranging from drawing pencils and specialized paints to clay and digital design software licenses, ensuring that all students have equal access to the tools they need to create without added financial burden for the family. While our offerings are broad, encompassing visual arts, performing arts, and digital media, we promote a philosophy of multidisciplinary exploration and are committed to teaching both traditional fine arts, such as classical sculpture and drawing, and modern disciplines like animation and graphic design, thereby ensuring students receive a truly comprehensive artistic education.

What is the typical class schedule, and what options are available for students attending after school or on weekends?

Our program schedule is designed to be highly flexible and accessible to busy families, with the majority of our standard courses running on a late-afternoon and evening schedule during the week to accommodate school hours, typically starting around 4:00 PM and running through 7:30 PM, with classes meeting once or twice per week depending on the course intensity. Additionally, we offer a wide variety of specialized workshops and our popular Little Artists sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, providing convenient weekend options for both younger students and those in intensive programs who require extended studio time, with full schedule details always available on our online portal.

Are meals or snacks provided for students during their time at the facility?

While CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS does not operate a full food service program, we do maintain clean, dedicated break areas and provide light, healthy snacks and water for students, particularly those in our longer sessions or our all-day Summer Arts Institutes, ensuring they remain refreshed and energized during their creative work. Families are always welcome and encouraged to pack their own healthy, nut-free snacks or meals for their children, and we have designated times and spaces where students can safely enjoy their food and take a mental break before returning to the focused work in the studio or performance space.

Contact Us

Contact Methods and Visit Information

We sincerely encourage all prospective families, current students, and community partners to reach out and connect with the CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS team, as we are always ready to answer any questions about our programs, philosophy, or enrollment process. You can reach our administrative office directly by email at info@calyouth.site, which is actively monitored throughout the business day for prompt and detailed responses, We warmly invite you to schedule a visit to our welcoming facility, conveniently located at 2701 MITCHELL ROAD SUITE A, CERES, CA 95307, where you can take a guided tour of our state-of-the-art studios, observe a class in session, and meet our passionate mentors, providing a firsthand experience of the vibrant and inspiring creative energy that defines our community before you make any enrollment decision.

Join Us

Career Opportunities and Team Culture

CALIFORNIA YOUTH & ARTS offers much more than just a job; we provide highly fulfilling career opportunities for dedicated teaching artists, passionate administrative staff, and strategic program coordinators who share our deep commitment to youth development and the transformative power of the arts. We are actively seeking experienced professionals who not only possess advanced technical skills and credentials in their respective artistic disciplines, but who also demonstrate a genuine capacity for patient, empathetic mentorship and a contagious passion for teaching and inspiring young minds from diverse backgrounds. Our team culture is profoundly collaborative, mission-driven, and supportive, fostering an environment where continuous professional development is highly valued and every team member’s unique contribution is recognized, creating a workplace that is as creatively stimulating as our classrooms. Joining our team means becoming an integral part of a growing cultural institution that is actively shaping the future of the Central Valley through education, making every workday a direct contribution to the growth of the next generation of creative leaders and innovators.