At UCLA Arts ArtsBridge, we believe that creativity is pivotal to the development of inspired learners and active community members. ArtsBridge is a member of ArtsBridge America, a broad network of 22 universities in the United States and Northern Ireland, who are committed to providing high quality arts education experiences for youth and teachers in schools with little or no access to arts education opportunities.
The purpose for connecting inner city schools, and their neighborhood community arts centers, to the university through UCLA Arts ArtBridge is twofold: 1) to energize the creative, educational, and life opportunities of students and teachers in inner city neighborhoods, and 2) to provide meaningful opportunities for university students and faculty to link their work in higher education to creatively rigorous, socially relevant, community work. ArtsBridge supports the creative and intellectual growth of K-12 students and educators, and, simultaneously, prepares students in UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture to become capable, innovative, and engaged artists and educators.
UCLA Arts includes the Departments of Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design|Media Arts, Ethnomusicology, Music, and World Arts and Cultures. As a result, ArtsBridge projects include each of these creative disciplines and often highlight interdisciplinary and integrated approaches to arts education. In addition, ArtsBridge community partnerships include access to other UCLA Arts resources including the Fowler and Hammer Museums, and UCLA Live’s Design for Sharing Program.
Bridging community schools to the university requires a shared purpose, partnership, and collaboration. These mutual goals are developed through in depth planning, creative risk taking, and group reflection. While ArtsBridge provides partner schools with California arts standards based instruction free of charge, substantive attention and participation is required from partner teachers and administrators at the school sites.
There are many ways to get involved with ArtsBridge. UCLA Arts students can enroll in academic courses through School of Arts and Architecture (AA102SL during fall quarter, and AA192SL in the winter and spring). ArtsBridge Scholars are recognized for their efforts with a stipend and academic course credit. ArtsBridge mentors can work with emerging arts educators in their own creative discipline. Community partner schools and neighborhood community arts sites form the backbone of the ArtsBridge experience by providing their space, community members, and expertise. Outside arts education experts and donors can support the program by offering their specific skills and resources. Whether you are a UCLA student or faculty member, or a potential community partner (i.e., classroom teacher, school administrator, school district, or community arts organization) we welcome your inquiries and interest.
