Youth in Arts was founded in 1970 by local arts advocates dismayed by diminishing resources available for arts education in California schools. In the decades since, our arts programs have served over a million students in their classrooms throughout the North San Francisco Bay Area.
We provide creative opportunities for all types of learners from age three to 21. Youth in Arts became an affiliate of VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts) in 1981 and we remain the only consistent provider of arts for students with disabilities in Marin County.

Since 2011, we have featured an art gallery in downtown San Rafael’s Cultural Arts District dedicated to celebrating youth artists. Youth in Arts is an Arts Equity Champion and proud member of CreateCA, Teaching Artist Guild, and the Downtown San Rafael Arts District.