Ryman Arts

About Ryman Arts

 Ryman Arts transforms lives by creating access and opportunity for a diverse community of young artists through rigorous education in fundamental art skills and mentoring. 

As one of the nation’s top youth art programs, Ryman Arts offers professional studio art instruction along with college and career guidance to artistic high school youth who are serious about a future in art—all at no cost to the student. More than 95% of graduates go on to college, many alumni work in the creative industries, and all are poised for personal success.

Classes are held at Otis College of Art & Design and at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)—both host Ryman Arts free of charge. Students come from four Southern California counties, 150+ zip codes, and 80%+ live in low-income neighborhoods where schools provide little access to art and dropout rates are high.

Since 1990, Ryman Arts has cultivated the talent and promise of over 26,000 youth, who would otherwise not have access to advanced art education, through its core program and outreach efforts. The impact is that young people use art as a tool with which they learn to believe in themselves and their own ability to create a meaningful and viable pathway to a successful life.