2025 Year in Review: A Year of Art, Access, and Community
As we look back on 2025, one thing feels clear:
this was a year rooted in showing up, building pathways, and using art as a bridge—between creativity and education, families and resources, joy and opportunity.
Here are a few highlights that defined the year:
Faces of Downtown
We launched Faces of Downtown, a student art showcase centered on identity, self-expression, and belonging. Downtown youth were invited to reflect on who they are and how they see themselves in the world—placing their voices and perspectives front and center. The exhibit celebrated the creativity of young people while reminding families that their stories matter and deserve space to be seen.
Creative Care Kits
In response to wildfires impacting families connected to Kids Klub Child Development Center in Pasadena, we distributed Creative Care Kits filled with art supplies and creative tools. These kits were designed as small but meaningful moments of calm, creativity, and care—offering children and families a way to process, express, and find comfort during a challenging time.
Virgie Marion Scholarship Fund
We proudly launched the Virgie Marion Scholarship Fund, honoring legacy, resilience, and the belief that education changes lives. This fund supports students pursuing their educational goals while reinforcing our commitment to building long-term educational wealth for families through creativity and access.
Partnership with ScholarShare 529
In 2025, we announced our partnership with ScholarShare 529, creating a direct pathway between art, family engagement, and college savings. This collaboration helps families begin thinking about higher education early—using creativity as the entry point and financial literacy as the foundation for future opportunity.
Stars of Hollywood
We closed out the year with Stars of Hollywood, an end-of-year student art exhibit in partnership with CWC Hollywood. This showcase invited students to explore the idea of “stars” as symbols of potential, confidence, and self-worth—reminding young artists that they are the center of their own universe and that their futures shine bright.
Art in the Park: Community in Action
Our Art in the Park programming continued to meet families where they are, popping up at:
Third Thursday community events
The Downtown LA Alliance Halloween Festival for Kids
The Downtown LA Alliance Picnic with Santa
Each event transformed everyday community moments into creative experiences—proving that art can be just as sweet as candy, just as joyful as the holidays, and just as powerful as any classroom lesson.
As we step into a new year, we’re carrying forward the same belief that shaped 2025: art opens doors, families deserve access, and community is built one creative moment at a time.
Thank you to our partners, families, educators, and young artists for making this year unforgettable. Onward.
