The Graff Lab

The Graff Lab is an urban sanctuary for artists, kids, and adults that opened after the Los Angeles public school district cut its after-school art programs in 2006. World famous for its graffiti and aerosol art, the Graff Lab is dedicated to providing artists with a safe space to develop their skills. At the Graff Lab artists don’t have to worry about getting harassed by the police or by gangsters; they are free to concentrate on their craft.

But the Graff Lab is more than a public art space. The Graff Lab offers free tutoring and counseling in addition to free dance and music lessons (guitar and drums). The USC Boxing Club is in the process of setting up a training facility at the Graff Lab, so free boxing lessons are on the horizon as well.

Additionally, the Graff Lab hosts a variety of cultural events, including a Halloween party, a Thanksgiving get-together, a Virgin of Guadalupe celebration and a Christmas toy drive. The Graff Lab also offers historical preservation and small business training through its sister organization: the Pico-Union Housing Corporation.

The Graff Lab is located at 1038 Venice Blvd at the intersection of Union and Venice. It is just minutes from the Staples Center in downtown LA.