The stated mission of La Quinta Arts Foundation is, “Promoting and Cultivating the Arts,” and in this it excels. Over the past 24 years, La Quinta Arts Foundation has developed and delivered award winning arts education programs to more than 5,000 school children annually. These programs have filled a void created by the serious depletion of state funds allocated to arts education in the public schools. No other group in the Coachella Valley does more to educate the public in the visual arts than La Quinta Arts Foundation.

Making Friends with Great Works of Art (MFWGWA)
MFWGWA is La Quinta Arts Foundation’s signature outreach program where each year thousands of 4th and 5th grade students in our local elementary schools are introduced to the great artists of history. The program imparts the concepts of aesthetics, art history, art criticism, and art production through a series of seven lessons administered through volunteer docents trained by LQAF. Upon conclusion of the lessons, the 5th grade students are treated to an excursion to the Palm Springs Museum to apply the principles learned, experience art in a museum setting, and expand their cultural horizons.

This acclaimed program was awarded the California Teachers Association’s State Gold Award for its contribution to quality education and commitment to helping students learn

Young at Art
La Quinta Arts Foundation has provided after school and summer art programs four days per week, four hours per day to children at the La Quinta, Indio and Coachella Boys and Girls Clubs. The hands-on art lessons are provided free of charge with LQAF funding instructor salaries and art supplies. The program curriculum is the functional extension of the principles of art taught through LQAF's Making Friends with Great Works of Art program; line, color, texture, form – expressed through production experiences in sculpture, collage, drawing, jewelry making, ceramics and painting.

Grant funding received from Irene W. and Guy L. Anderson's Children Foundation, Regional Access Project, Los Angeles Times Family Fund and Bank of America has contributed to the program's success and expansion.

Visual Arts Scholarships
Since 1984, La Quinta Arts Foundation's Visual Arts Scholarship program has provided over $748,000 in cash awards to local students at the university level. This year, $53,500 was awarded to 33 new and returning scholarship recipients. These students are now attending such notable colleges as UCLA, Otis College of Art and Design, USC, California Art Institute, as well as our local College of the Desert.
(Applications available February 1st, 2007)

Arts Mentoring Program
Members of the Scholarship Committee provide one-on-one counsel to scholarship recipients throughout the school year.

Youth Art Works
Under the supervision of professional artists and qualified youth
leaders, students create public works of art in their neighborhoods. Past Youth Art Works projects included mural designs and permanent installations at Eisenhower Medical Center, La Quinta Senior Center, Van Buren Elementary School, and the Bear Creek trail system and bicycle path. Students have also created artwork for local transit shelters responding to the theme of “Why I love La Quinta” and as a permanent installation on playground equipment at La Quinta Community Park.

Youth Art Works received recognition from the President's Council on Arts and Humanities as one of the nation's praiseworthy youth programs.

Art Beat
Art Beat provides elementary and high school students from culturally underserved areas opportunities to visit some of Southern California's most recognized art museums, galleries, and studios. These tours, including transportation and museum entrance, are often accompanied by lectures and complimentary program activities.

Adult Enrichment Programs
Adults are offered an annual series of workshops by acclaimed artists/teachers, and tours to famous Southern California museum and art venues.