About Arts Learning

Arts Learning’s mission is to foster and advance understanding of the arts by providing Long Beach citizens with programs and resources that promote diversity, tolerance and creativity. The department’s vision is for Long Beach’s communities, neighborhoods and residents to acknowledge the crucial role that arts education has in shaping, evolving and enhancing their daily lives, relationships and ideas.

Arts Learning is a vital component of the Arts Council and the City of Long Beach. Arts Learning strives to enrich the lives of Long Beach citizens by delivering quality arts education programs and learning opportunities that inspire creativity, thought and the spirit of discovery. The Arts Council’s educational programs concentrate in dance, music, theater and visual art by centering on the traditional global arts found locally, the city’s unique historic past, and its artistic heritage and legacy.

Additionally, the Arts Learning department acts as a community resource by providing arts educational information on local arts and cultural venues and opportunities, and by linking groups and individuals together to promote the arts and artistic output. Arts Learning supports artists, arts groups, schools, students and adults in advancing artistic pride and creativity.

Arts Learning Signature Programs

Arts Council for Long Beach strives to discover unique and innovative programs for learners that are not provided through other local arts groups. By identifying the gaps in local arts education, the Arts Council is able to take a more creative approach in its programming. Without a permanent collection to rely on, or a singular arts discipline to adhere to, the Arts Council can network and collaborate on a national level to identify interdisciplinary programs that can be tailored to fill a specialized niche in the Long Beach community. Current programs offered by the Arts Council:

Passport to the Arts provides dance, theater, music and visual arts experiences that focus on cultural traditions.

Eye on Design teaches public art and design by highlighting local history and the public art process.

Smithsonian Week hosts school visits, discussions and events by Smithsonian Institution scholars during the month of March that are specific to Long Beach arts and culture.

Artist in Residence experiences are specialized arts programs individually designed for local groups/organizations by the Arts Council for targeted audiences.

To access further information on these programs select the appropriate links above.

Arts and Cultural Program Directory for Long Beach Youth

The Arts and Cultural Program Directory of local Long Beach providers showcases student and youth arts and cultural opportunities both in schools and on-site, during and after school. It covers the arts of dance, music, theater and visual art, while also incorporating cultural and historical groups and multidisciplinary organizations. The directory provides brief descriptions and related content information about arts learning programming provided by local organizations. All directory information was provided voluntarily by organizations and was edited and compiled by the Arts Council. To download the directory, click the above link, or stop by our office for