When budget cuts eliminated arts instruction from Los Angeles public schools in the late 1970s, it was up to local communities to fill the gap. Skid Row area schools and students, already struggling, were at a clear disadvantage—until artist and educator Bob Bates was inspired by a vision to “get an art space for kids” to serve this population. He and Irwin Jaeger, a businessman, teamed up to form Inner-City Arts in 1989. Knowing the benefits of the arts in the lives of all children, Bob and Irv were determined to bring the benefits of a safe, creative environment to children in downtown neighborhoods, who would otherwise miss out.

A groundbreaking—and enduring—partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District brought students from 9th Street Elementary School to Inner-City Arts’ first studio space on Olympic Boulevard. In its inaugural year, Inner-City Arts served a total of 60 elementary school students.

With evidence mounting that Inner-City Arts’ unique approach to arts education supported student gains in literacy and overall achievement, principals and teachers from other schools soon signed on. Inner-City Arts forged collaborations with other educators and the academic community to develop new programs targeting specific student needs. Programs were created to support classroom teachers, bringing the lessons of the studio to other academic disciplines.

Inner-City Art leadership and staff are proud to have weathered the COVID pandemic by creatively offering programs to meet students’ needs at a distance. In the years since, in-person instruction for about 5,000 students a year has thrived.