From
Trauma to
Triumph

Through art, we help children in Los Angeles find hope, resilience, and self-esteem.

This website is generously granted by The Ahmanson Foundation

Heal Trauma & Empower Youth

Leverage art programs for children to reduce trauma’s impact while fostering self-expression, creativity, and coping skills.

Create Equity Through Art

Use art as a unifying force to connect youth from diverse backgrounds, promoting understanding and mutual respect.

Develop Critical Life Skills

Enhance problem-solving, social skills, and critical thinking through engaging, art-based projects.

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Healing through Art

Art helps young minds heal, grow and, reach their full potential

Imagine a child in Los Angeles struggling with the effects of trauma, abuse, neglect, or mental health challenges. Without access to the right support, their future is uncertain.
FreeArts believes in the power of art, which studies have proven pivot children through trauma and challenges.

The Challenge

Children in Los Angeles are disproportionately affected by trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges, often lacking access to crucial support and resources.

Without intervention, these experiences can lead to long-term difficulties such as teen pregnancies, addiction, mental illness, and involvement in the judicial system, perpetuating a cycle of hardship.

Our Approach

FreeArts is disrupting the cycle of inequity by engaging underserved youth in culturally and linguistically responsive art workshops.

These curriculum-based programs provide a safe and supportive space for young people to begin healing from trauma, address mental health needs, and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and advocacy.

Our Impact

Free Arts empowers Los Angeles youth, many of whom are from underserved and marginalized communities who have faced significant challenges. Every program, curriculum based activity and event is designed to build resilience, self-esteem, and skills to lead to a brighter future.

Free Arts programs create a community where every child feels valued, seen, and believed in, empowering them to overcome adversity, build self-esteem, and discover their unique strengths through creative expression.

Our Partners

Through 30 community partnerships in Los Angeles and 225+ volunteers, FreeArts engages roughly 16,500 youth annually in FreeArts art education programs.

5 etoiles trustpilot

The Shelter Care and Transportation Unit within the Department of Children and Family Services supports children placed in foster homes and group homes with transportation to their dependency court hearings at Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court. We cannot express how grateful we are to have Free Arts currently work one-on-one with the children in our program. This joint venture has allowed children going through emotional trauma free expressions through their art. This healing process is so important to help children improve their outlook and provide a different lens to view life’s circumstances.

Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court (Shelter Care)
Digidop
5 etoiles trustpilot

MemorialCare Children’s & Women’s Hospital of Long Beach is very appreciative of the time and dedication Free Arts puts into conducting the activities, step-by-step with our patients. An outlet such as expression through art creates an atmosphere for our pediatric patients to feel a sense of control and reduce stress. Art also provides a variety of opportunities for self-expression when one may not know how to put their feelings into words. Bringing the Free Arts Program to our hospital has had a positive impact in providing quality patient care and building rapport through interactive art. We look forward to continuing future collaborations with Free Arts LA.

Digidop
MemorialCare Children & Women’s Hospital of Long Beach (Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program)
5 etoiles trustpilot

Aviva Family and Children’s Services would like to express gratitude for the support and resources provided by Free Arts. Your team's guidance and expertise have been invaluable and appreciated by all staff and families. Free Arts commitment to empowering artists, nurturing creativity, and making the arts accessible to diverse audiences is truly inspiring. It has an been an honor to align our efforts with both of our organization’s mission and values.

Aviva Family and Children’s Services
Digidop
FreeArts is grateful to partner with and others:
Impact

Studies show FreeArts programs help youth build skills for a healthy future.

Challenge
Youth often face difficulties with aggression and social interactions, struggling to communicate and connect.
Outcome
Through collaborative art projects, youth develop teamwork, build positive relationships, and gain essential self-management skills.
Challenge
Many young people struggle to express their emotions, feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
Outcome
Art provides a safe and creative outlet, helping youth articulate their feelings, build confidence, and express their unique voices.
Challenge
Hopelessness and low self-esteem often prevent youth from seeing their potential.
Outcome
With guidance and support, youth gain resilience, discover their strengths, and develop the confidence to thrive.