Living Arts Receives $40,000 Commitment to Arts Access for Detroit Youth

Students at our Out of School Arts animation class. Photo by J. Lindsey Photography.

Renewed partnership support comes from Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation

Living Arts is proud to announce a $40,000 grant award from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation. This partnership will provide 100 free enrollments  for youth and children in Southwest Detroit to access Living Arts’ Out-of-School Arts program.

“This continued partnership with the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation will ensure that Detroit youth have access to high-quality arts experiences regardless of their family’s financial situation.” said Alissa Novoselick, Executive Director of Living Arts. “We’re proud to partner with an organization that supports the positive enrichment in the lives of our youth,” continued Novoselick.

Living Arts’ Out-of-School Arts program offers a wide array of class offerings after school and on weekends at the Ford Resource and Engagement Center. Instruction in multiple disciplines is offered, including video animation, songwriting and recording, visual arts, multimedia art, and dance. Classes are available for youth ages 3 months to 18 years old, and no one is ever turned away for inability to pay.

“These programs give students a place to be after school and the chance to try dance or animation or beat making without worrying if they can afford it or not,” stated Tanykia “Diamond” Davis, an 18 year-old participant in the Out-of-School Arts program. Davis recently spoke at a 20th anniversary celebration for Living Arts on her experience with the program. “Like me, a lot of the students at Living Arts have a scholarship to attend classes.  Because of Living Arts, kids like me have the chance to try out something new and stick with something they love, and be around mentors that inspire them,” said Davis.