The Creative Center Foundation

We recently visited The Creative Center up in Visalia, a quaint agricultural and park destination in California’s Central Valley region. Established in 1977, The Creative Center is a non-profit community arts center that provides a unique arts program as an adult day program, serving developmentally disabled adults. It is a relatively unique facility in the State, as they offer a complete fine arts academy-type program involving performing arts, visual arts, and life skills, and it is designed to provide students with opportunities to achieve personal growth and increasing independence. Students are instructed by professional artists and experienced teachers during the ten weekly class periods. They now serve over 90 students from fourteen communities in Tulare and Kings Counties every weekday throughout the year.

The Center is home to the Jon Ginsburg Gallery, which was the first public art gallery in Visalia, and has served to give a new dimension of credibility to the work that is done by the students at the Center. Upon passing a jury of the Visual Arts Instructors and Arts Marketing Director, a piece of work is deemed "gallery quality" and is then displayed in the gallery, and when sold, the student receives a check. "Pay Day" is a wonderful day at The Creative Center - much more important than monetary rewards, is the building of the student’s self-worth and sense of public appreciation for their creative talents.

The Creative Center performing artists - "The Creative Center Players" - present two major shows annually, as well as putting on shows throughout the year at local civic organizations, service clubs, schools and businesses. The music classes have produced two CD's with of all the original songs being written and performed by The Creative Center students and staff. Just like the Center’s visual artists, "The Creative Center Players" are paid for each of their performances as compensation for their "art" production.

On our online radio show ‘Champagne Sundays’, we recently interviewed Kathleen Remillard, the Executive Director of The Creative Center Foundation. Kathleen talked with us about the Center’s historic location, its goals and missions, the different programs they offer, their special fundraising events, and more. To listen to the interview with Kathleen from an excerpt of our online radio show, Champagne Sundays, please double click on the Play button below.

The Creative Center provides a unique alternative to work-related programming by offering a balance of socialization and meaningful work in a healthy and positive environment, and always looking at the abilities of their students, instead of their disabilities.

For more about The Creative Center, visit www.thecreativecenter-visalia.org