SANTA CRUZ, Calif.-- Santa Cruz Arts Center is Keeping Creative Programs Alive. Central Coast News believes in order to build a strong community we need to invest in it, that's why we created the Million Dollar Community Investment Program. Today we explore a popular arts center in Santa Cruz where the Santa Cruz Mountain Arts Center is working to keep programs running throughout the county.
It's no secret public schools the arts programs have been shrinking and in some places they're completely gone. Executive Director Linda Levy wants to put a stop to that. "In second grade there are a million artists and by third grade there's like one kid that says he's an artist. So trying to unloosen people so they can be expressive and be creative and not feel judged," said Levy.
In order to reverse the numbers Linda Levy and Lisa Alexander from the Santa Cruz Mountain Arts Center have dedicated their lives to keeping art programs like this alive. Throughout the year they put together several art courses and galleries for children and adults.
The group also hosts after school art workshops at five local schools to keep creativity a part of the curriculum. "Every bit is important as any other subject in school. You can learn facts till they are coming out of your ears but you don't have the creative training, that's where the learning comes in," said Alexander.
Their building in Ben Lomond has been operating for more than 14 years. It's home for hundreds of local artists who use the building to express their work. "Our mission is to bring art into our community and we do that through exhibitions, we do that through our education, classes and we do that through events. We try to do as many things free for the public as we can," said Levy.
In order to keep the center up and running, the group is trying to raise more than $12,000 to help pay for a new roof so people can come and continue to be involved in a variety of projects. "We have all manners of drawing painting, print-making, sculpture, robotics," said Alexander.
All of the money raised for the center goes to keeping these workshops going. "Part of our programming arts both for adults and for kids. We provide scholarships for kids who come from families that are in crisis or are in need," said Levy.
"It's such a gift to be able to teach because I learn from them you know. I get to share something that I feel so strongly about," said Alexander.
Registration is still open for summer art classes for children and fall courses for all family members. The group is also hosting an open barbeque on July 20th for artists. It's a free event.
