On Saturday, April 20th, Free Arts hosted its 2024 Inspiring Creativity in Mentoring Symposium in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, Gabriel’s Angels, and New Pathways for Youth.

For the last 22 years, Free Arts has partnered with Dance Theater West (DTW) to create DTW’s Storybook Ballet production featuring Free Arts children and teens. Our beloved partnership continued into September 2023, when twelve Free Arts children performed alongside DTW dancers at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Hello, friends! Vice President of Programs, Matt Sandoval, here. I wanted to share an update on the progress of the Canvas of the Heart podcast for Free Arts. I’m happy to report that we have successfully completed the podcast’s first season! Throughout the summer, we were able to feature a diverse group of guests who...

Free Arts Camp Series 2023 kicked off June 5th, beginning with Theater Camp, and was concluded with two Multicultural Arts Camps: MAC 1 and MAC 2.

Back in 2016, Free Arts ran two Professional Artist Series with teens at a residential treatment center in Phoenix, one of our longtime partner agencies.

This year’s Storybook Ballet performance and Free Arts Day, we were able to include children and teaching artists from four Professional Artist Series all taking place at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. 

Teaching Artist Carlos Urtubey and Volunteer Mentor Sara Coggins Building connections through music is one of the most impactful ways to leave a mark in someone’s life. Recently, in our Professional Artist Series, teaching artist Carlos Urtubey and new volunteer mentor Sara Coggins, taught six (1 hour) sessions to Southwest Key – Long Term Foster...

After nearly three years, Free Arts reconnected with Children First Leadership Academy (CFLA) in Phoenix and completed a successful Professional Artist Series with the students.

Our 2022 Spring Professional Artist Series season includes a special series where children work with and learn from a professional muralist to transform a wall at their site into a mural.

Mario Barela has been a dedicated Professional Teaching Artist for Free Arts since 2008. He has contributed both his time and talent to reach the children of Free Arts partner agencies, even in a time of social distancing and mask mandates.