Our Impact
Our Programs
Cultural Kaleidoscope
A unique arts-integrated, artists-in-the-schools program in partnership with the Ravenswood City School District serving K-5 classrooms in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.
Exhibitions
The Art Center’s acclaimed exhibitions bring the work of both emerging and professional artists to the community. Our thought-provoking exhibitions feature works of high aesthetic quality and craftsmanship, produced in a wide range of artistic media. Learn, discover, and be inspired! With free admission and a welcoming atmosphere, our shows offer something for everyone.
Teen Programs
Teen programs at the Palo Alto Art Center provide teens with opportunities to have a voice and be heard, expose teens to practicing artists, introduce teens to professional opportunities in the art world, showcase creativity as a tool for expression and relaxation, and create satisfying volunteer experiences.
Youth & Teen Art
The Art Center offers art classes for children ages 3 to 18 years as well as family workshops. These include drawing, painting, ceramics, fiber arts, digital photography, fashion design, and mixed media classes are for all skill levels. Students receive individualized attention from professional teaching artists. Curriculum varies quarterly, allowing students to enroll in classes on a continual basis.
Project Look
For more than 35 years, Project Look has provided fun, educational, and memorable art experiences to thousands of students in Palo Alto and the surrounding area. Highlighting the experiences of seeing and making art and activating creativity, Project Look combines an interactive exhibition tour led by volunteer docents with a related hands-on art activity taught by professional art educators.
Adult Studios
The Adult Studio program offers classes and workshops for adult students of all levels in our well-equipped studios. Classes and workshops are taught in a variety of media including ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry, printmaking, fiber arts, book arts, and collage. The Studios also maintains a visiting artist program that provides our community the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned ceramic artists.
Volunteers & Interns
Volunteers support all aspects of Art Center operations and programs. We offer regular and occasional volunteer opportunities for those aged 12 and older, including classroom assistants, docents, outreach event helpers, camp counselors, and more. We are proud to support more than 800 adult and teen volunteers. Volunteers are an incredible asset to the Art Center and allow us to extend our services and engage people in our community.
In addition, the Art Center offers a supportive and professional internship experience for emerging museum and arts professionals. Many of our interns have moved into professional positions at the Art Center and other museums and art institutions. Art Center Interns consistently report that they are assigned to useful tasks, make a meaningful difference, feel appreciated, and enjoy the work environment
Our Supporters
The Palo Alto Art Center, Division of Arts and Sciences, City of Palo Alto is funded in part by grants from the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation. The Palo Alto Art Center Foundation gratefully acknowledges support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Applied Materials Foundation, Skyline Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Acton Family Giving, the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, the Palo Alto Community Fund, The Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Valley Health Foundation, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, private donations, and members. For a full list of Art Center Foundation members and supporters, please see our most recent annual report.
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