Creativity Explored (CE) is a nonprofit organization in San Francisco that hosts a day program for developmentally disabled adult artists.[1] Located in the Mission District and Potrero Hill, CE functions as a studio-based collective, offering, as of August 2023, over 130 artists art supplies, training, exhibition and sales opportunities.[2] CE has a gallery in their Mission District location where they host shows and sell original artwork.[3] The organization's motto is "Art Changes Lives".[4] In 2018, the Legacy Business Program (of the City and County of San Francisco) recognized CE as a "San Francisco Legacy Business".[5] In 2019, in the SF Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay Awards, CE was awarded Best Nonprofit.[6]
Creativity Explored was founded in 1983 by artist Florence Ludins-Katz and psychologist Elias Katz who worked at the Sonoma Developmental Center.[7] They also founded art center Creative Growth in Oakland, California, and NIAD (Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development) Art Center in Richmond, California.[8] The three centers were intended to be independently operated although similar organizations in response to statewide cuts in services for disabled adults.[8]
Creativity Explored is considered a progressive art studio, a fine arts studio where developmentally disabled adults can create art and community[9] – this form of center differs from art therapy in that it is not a clinical practice.[10] In a progressive art studio, a staff of teaching artists assist developmentally disabled artists,[10] this can be through a variety of media, including oil pastels, painting, sculpture, digital media, textiles, printmaking, drawing, and collage.[11][8]
Teachers at Creativity Explored assist artists with advice and art supplies on an individual basis; artists rotate through teachers, leaving uncompleted work with each teacher. Teachers at Creativity Explored generally have a background in fine arts, and often have individual studio practices.[9] In 2020, Creativity Explored, along with Creative Growth and NIAD, switched its programs over to online art sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] The nonprofit hosts an annual gala, "Art Changes Lives", featuring a silent auction.[13]
Creativity Explored has a gallery in its 16th Street location in the Mission District, where art is sold and exhibitions are curated, roughly five times a year.[9] Creativity Explored artists have exhibited work in museums, galleries, and art fairs in over 14 countries and have earned over $2.2 million from their art.[2][as of?] Creativity Explored also sells artwork online, both via its own website and art brokerage Artsy. The nonprofit also maintains a digital archive that is used for licensing projects.[14]
Artists can also earn income through partnerships and grants that Creativity Explored manages on their behalf.[14][15] Artists participating in the organization earn 50% of revenue generated by their artwork.[16]
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