Epacenter Arts

OUR MISSION IS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO DISCOVER AND AMPLIFY THEIR TALENTS, REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL, AND IMPACT THE WORLD THROUGH THE ARTS.

EPACENTER IS A CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS EAST PALO ALTO YOUTH AMPLIFY THEIR TALENTS, REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL, AND IMPACT THEIR WORLD THROUGH ART AND DESIGN. EPACENTER ENGAGES YOUTH, AGES 8-25 IN EAST PALO ALTO, IN A RANGE OF CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP THEIR INTRINSIC VOICES, THEIR SENSE OF CREATIVE AGENCY, AND THE CREATIVE, CRITICAL THINKING AND SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY: 1.) OFFERING FREE, CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE INSTRUCTION IN DESIGN AND THE DIGITAL, VISUAL, LITERARY AND PERFORMING ARTS IN-SCHOOL, AFTER-SCHOOL AND DURING THE SUMMER; 2.) ENGAGING YOUTH IN ORGANIZATIONAL DECISION-MAKING, KEY LEADERSHIP ROLES; AND CULTURAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES; 3.) LINKING THEM TO MEANINGFUL SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, COLLEGE AND CAREERS; AND 4.) ACTIVATING THEIR SENSE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AS CITIZENS AND ARTISTS. CURRENTLY THESE PROGRAMS ARE CONDUCTED UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S LEAD PHILANTHROPIC PARTNER, JOHN & MARCIA GOLDMAN FOUNDATION. IN 2015, THE JOHN AND MARCIA GOLDMAN FOUNDATION (JMGF) ESTABLISHED A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY NAMED EAST PALO ALTO YOUTH ARTS AND MUSIC CENTER LLC ("THE LLC"), WHICH OPERATES UNDER THE AUSPICE OF JMGF, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JMGF'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. WITH JMGF FUNDING, THE LLC PURCHASED PROPERTY AT 1950 BAY ROAD AS THE HOME FOR THE FUTURE CENTER AND FUNDED THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING. JMGF ALSO PROVIDED START-UP AND ONGOING FUNDING FOR THE LLC, INCLUDING HIRING OF LLC STAFF, AND LAUNCHING AND DELIVERY OF PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION (EPACENTER), WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED IN 2015 AS SEPARATE 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION, IN ANTICIPATION OF TRANSITIONING ALL OPERATIONS FROM THE LLC TO THE ORGANIZATION UPON COMPLETION OF THE NEW FACILITY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2021, PLANS WERE UNDERWAY TO TRANSFER THE OPERATIONS FROM THE LLC TO THE ORGANIZATION. FUNDRAISING EFFORTS WERE ACCELERATED AND PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONS WERE RAMPED UP. UNFORTUNATELY, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DELAYED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FACILITY AND DISRUPTED PLANS FOR THE FULL TRANSITION IN 2021. TRANSITION OF OPERATIONS SLOWLY BEGAN IN 2021 WITH FULL TRANSITION OF ALL THE OPERATIONS TO BE COMPLETED IN FISCAL YEAR 2022.