Artward Initiative 501 (c) (3) non-profit: Artward Initiative at Carmelitos

Artward Initiative started a new great collaboration with Carmelitos community of Long Beach, the biggest housing complex in LA County. With the important support of Field office of Long Beach Councilmember of 8th District Al Austin II we were connected to this great neighborhood in need of community services and engagement. This is where our experience with art intervention which we developed in a very similar underserved community "Scottsdale" neighborhood in the City of Carson near by, is now part of a dedicated joined effort.

On March 16 we had an award ceremony for our first kids art contest there. The Love My Neighbor - United Against Hate theme wich we developed in collaboration with LAvsHate program of the Los Angeles County had a strong creative response in this difficult community. Responding to our call the kids made their artwork on a short timeline of marking the United Against Hate week in LA county.

Dakota Howard and Cassidy Boatwright created especially heartwarming work filled with community and neighborly spirit and became our first winners.

We are grateful to Lynette Johnson, Chief of Staff Office of Councilmember AL AUSTIN II City of Long Beach, 8th District and Ebony L. Jones, Resident Services Coordinator Carmelitos Community Housing Operations for making the event especially memorable for the kids.

We also grateful to Jeroll Rodgers of Carmelitos Community Housing Operations for all his invaluable help in coordinating the project on site.

And who wants to do art for the next art contest?

Summary of Core Organizational Programs and Services

Artward Initiative, a 501 c(3) non profit organization, organizes and conducts cultural and educational projects, public art and social action programs in underserved communities of color that promote cultural diversity and encourage greater understanding among different cultures. Programs are centered around enhancement of community’s quality of life through art, cultural and educational projects. We are focused on public arts education initiatives that contribute to the positive development of underserved young people and young people at risk.

We received grants from Library of Congress Open World Project. Received a grant from the Levitt Foundation to promote classical music through public spaces for everyone to experience the performing arts. Organized and promoted free classical music concerts that reached out to people of all ages and backgrounds, to ensure classical music is accessible to all through high quality, free concerts to strengthen the community and social interaction, the culturally engaged projects that changed the perception of the community through art such as Carson based "Classical Underground". In the last five years we conduct "Love My Neighbor" public art projects in the disadvantaged community of color - "Scottsdale" neighborhood of Carson where we established a non-profit Artward! Gallery "Scottsdale." Provided free art consultations to youth at risk as part of Gang Diversion program. Provided local community with free art education programs. Our focus is art as tool of community turn-around.

In 2017 and 2018 we have received grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation. In 2018 we have received prestigious Cultural Pathways Grant from the California Arts Council to increase the reach of our community outreach projects in the City of Carson. In 2019 we have received grant from the Bank of America Foundation and organized a number of events together with their Better Money Habits team.

For its community building impact, our program, Love My Neighbor Public Art Project in the Scottsdale Neighborhood of Carson, has been authoritatively recognized as a prestigious 2019 California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) Award of Excellence recipient in the important Creating Community Award of Excellence category.

Over the last years we worked with well recognized community leaders / organizations: City of Carson City Hall, Bank of America Better Money Habits, Mission EbenEzer Community Art Center, the Bridges International Learning Center & International Institute of Tolerance. We presented our programs at the large public events including the LA's iconic Taste of Soul, the City of Carson public events Earth Day, Black History Month, Backpack Giveaway, Hispanic Heritage Day, Community Friendship Day.