Venice Arts is more than just a local (and awesome) after-school program. It’s a lifeline for local families who might not otherwise be able to afford arts education. The nonprofit uses a “pay what you can” model that allows parents who can pay to subsidize tuition for those who can’t.

Venice Rising is proud to support Venice Arts - not just because they’re doing amazing work with young creatives, but because they're filling a gap in our community that desperately needs attention. (budget cuts 👀)

Their studios are tucked in Venice/Del Rey on Beach Ave which means yes - you can drop off your budding filmmaker and restock at Costco in one fell swoop 😄.

Grades 3–12
These are not your average enrichment classes. Venice Arts' school year programs include:

Taught by actual working artists, these classes help kids build technical skills and creative confidence. The program runs from fall through spring and is open to students from across Los Angeles. Financial aid is widely available, and tuition is never a barrier.

For youth ages 10–18
Summer intensives at Venice Arts are like creative boot camps - but in a good way. Think:

It’s the kind of summer camp that makes screen time productive, not passive - and gives your kid a chance to see what happens when they actually follow through on those big ideas.

Under the Trump administration, federal support for the arts has taken a serious hit. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which has been a vital lifeline to local cultural programs across the country, saw major grant cuts - and even the termination of hundreds of existing awards - seemingly because some were labeled as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. At the same time, federal educational funding that typically supported after school arts, English learner programs, and summer enrichment was paused leaving schools and nonprofits scrambling

When federal dollars dry up, nonprofit initiatives like Venice Arts become more critical than ever. By using a “pay what‑you can” model and ensuring built‑in scholarships, Venice Arts steps in to fill the gap - making sure every kid who wants to create, experiment, and express themselves has the chance, regardless of their family’s income.

This isn’t just about art - it’s about creative equity. It’s about local kids having access to cameras, mentorship, and storytelling tools that public funding once provided. The fact that families who can contribute are effectively supporting those who can’t? That’s community love in action and proof that we can help bridge the gap when the system drops the ball.

Soooo, have a kid who’s constantly filming TikToks, doodling obsessively, or narrating their life like it’s a documentary? Check out Venice Arts and apply for school year or summer programs.