At East Bay Center's main facility in downtown Richmond's historic Winters Building, we hold 80+ weekly classes in sequential music, dance, theater, and digital media skills, with 150 individual instrument lessons and 27 annual recitals for 600 students ages 3-18. Over 91% are youth of color. In addition, we provide professional wraparound support services and individual mentoring and college readiness resources to all of our 140 Young Artist Diploma Program students and their families.
Access to High-Quality Arts Education
Our School Partnership programs provide hands-on music, dance and theater instruction to over 3,700 Title I students at 17 strategically linked local public schools, housing project sites and community centers with academic year and special summer session outreach programs. Over 88% are youth of color. 91% are from socio-economically disadvantaged families. These direct instructional services are enriched by professional development workshops for classroom teachers in arts integration techniques that, along with school-wide assemblies, culture-specific curricula, and parent support groups help to engage a full range of learners and leverage school improvement.
Connecting Youth to their Communities
Our nine youth resident companies enroll 110 advanced Center students to reach local audiences of 25,000 through presentations at 70+ community gatherings annually. Productions of new music, dance and theater works – many in deep partnership with civic and neighborhood groups – help tell Richmond’s story and build long-term social capital for students, families and the Richmond community.