Empowering creative expression for a more just and equitable society
Performing Arts Workshop is a nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 1965, our mission is to provide equal access to arts and arts education for all, particularly for young people from marginalized communities. We are committed to helping young people develop critical thinking, creative expression, socio-emotional learning, media literacy, and essential life skills through the arts.
Origin Story
Our organization was founded by Gloria Unti, a dancer, teacher, and visionary who dedicated her life to advancing the arts as a force for education, expression, individual empowerment, and social justice. In the mid-1950s, Gloria was teaching a group of young girls in her Telegraph Hill Studio when a group of teens from a nearby pool hall approached her, asking her to teach them karate. Gloria, who didn't know karate, offered them yoga instead. After several fits and starts, the boys returned, and Gloria had a breakthrough moment. She put on some kabuki music and instructed the boys to make up a movement of any sport. What happened next changed her life's course. The boys' creativity and imagination astounded her, and she realized the potential of the arts to transform young lives.
People
Our team is composed of passionate and dedicated individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. Our teaching artists are experienced professionals who bring their expertise in various arts disciplines, including music, dance, writing, theater, spoken word poetry, mixed media, and visual/media arts. We are proud to be a BIPOC-led organization, and we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do.
Values
At Performing Arts Workshop, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. We uphold the following values:
- Artistic Excellence: We believe that all young people deserve access to high-quality arts experiences.
- Social Justice: We are committed to dismantling systemic barriers that prevent marginalized communities from accessing the arts.
- Community Engagement: We believe in the importance of building strong, vibrant communities through the arts.
- Lifelong Learning: We believe that learning is a lifelong process, and we are committed to providing opportunities for continuous growth and development.
What We Do
Performing Arts Workshop offers a range of programs and services designed to meet the needs of young people in the Bay Area.
Geneva Powerhouse Programs
Our Geneva Powerhouse Programs engage students from diverse backgrounds through the arts. We offer classes in dance, ancestral healing, and other forms of artistic expression that affirm identities and foster growth. Our programs prioritize immigrant youth, and we use play-based learning to promote socio-emotional development.
Bay Area Youth Arts Programs
We work with over 2,000 students in Title I schools, transitional housing facilities, juvenile halls, and afterschool programs. Our partnership model places one to two teaching artists per classroom to engage youth through music, dance, writing, theater, spoken word poetry, mixed media, and visual/media arts.
Seismic Shift Artist Residence
Our Seismic Shift Artist Residence provides artists with the time and space they need to create new works that inspire and engage young people. We offer a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters creativity and innovation.
Advocacy
We are committed to advocating for policies and practices that support arts education and equity in the arts. We work with policymakers, educators, and community leaders to advance our vision of a world where all young people have access to the arts.
Rentals
Our Geneva Powerhouse venue is available for event, exhibit, meeting, and performance arts and culture rentals. Your partnership with us funds our arts programs, performances, and increases community accessibility for this cultural arts space.
Overwhelming Positive Reviews
The majority of reviews praise the Performing Arts workshop, with one author giving it a perfect 5-star rating. The reviewer, Dilcia Gonzalez, expresses her love for the workshop and highlights its exceptional working environment for artists. She commends the staff team, stating they are "superb, " and the programs offered are "wonderful."
The tone of the review is enthusiastic, conveying a sense of genuine appreciation for the workshop's mission and impact.
Program Quality and Staff Excellence
The review emphasizes the quality of the programs offered and the excellence of the staff team. The reviewer specifically highlights the workshop's ability to provide a supportive environment for young people who are struggling in their education, suggesting that the workshop plays a vital role in comforting and empowering these individuals.
Conclusion
The overall conclusion reached from this review is that the Performing Arts workshop is an exceptional organization that provides a nurturing environment for artists to work with young people in need of educational support. The staff team's expertise and the programs' effectiveness have earned the workshop a 5-star rating and glowing praise from the reviewer.
