Giving Artists With Disabilities a Space to Thrive

Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California, is the world’s first and largest nonprofit center dedicated to giving artists with disabilities the space to let their talents shine. Since 1974, the center has served hundreds of artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities who lacked formal education in the arts. The studio helps to provide the tools, the space and the inspiration needed to grow into professional, exhibited artists. Today, artists represented by Creative Growth have been invited to the Venice Biennale, have had their works acquired by MoMA, and remain in high demand among collectors around the world.

We're thrilled to say that this story was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Arts, Culture or Entertainment Report at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards in September 2019.

This story also won two Webby Awards in May 2019.

This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.

Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com

[aliyahhhhh]

Just remember that art isn’t all about perfection.

[AnnikaVictoria]

What happens when you treat people with disabilities as HUMAN 🙌 thank you, Creative Growth Art Center, for celebrating diversity, and not creating yet another medicalised space to “hide away” people with disabilities. And thank you Great Big Story for presenting this story in a respectful way.

[Rivracost]

when I heard the man speak that only became verbal after using art I teared up. I guess art therapy is real

[spruceandjuniper]

Not going to lie, I think this is the most wholesome thing I've ever seen

[crystalgemuniverse]

THE LADY IN THE THUMBNAIL LOOKS SO HAPPY SHES SO CUTEE OMFG

[traceydelfs]

That is the most authentic, non pretentious form of ‘modern’ art.

[faiiryofshaampoo]

“This is called the Oil Red Sea #1.”
“Red is the only color I can see.”
Omg my heart broke into tiny tiny tiny pieces

[pinkivory]

This made me cry.. not only are they treating people with "flaws" like stars, but there is not a single mean, rude, or argument in the comments. I thank everyone who reads this for that.

[juno]

The sequin-pin-box sculpture looks cool as hell

[RhymeWithWitches]

This is why art is so important. These people are so talented and making beautiful things from so many different mediums.

[mothcloth]

For one, the guy who runs it is so genuine and you can tell he cares for the people who go there. Second, they all look so happy and ugh my heart

[josephinealvarado]

1:54 omg she's so cute look how happy she is I wanna give her a hug and paint with her

[birkovrawry]

I would watch a whole documentry about this! The art and people making it are beautiful!!

[femjem]

They should make these all over the world

[sdk]

This is the kind of art that should be put in art galleries and sold for millions not a plain canvas with dot.

[houseofpower]

HOLY Monica can’t see yet her art is crazy cool!

[hop]

*THIS IS CALLED THE OIL RED SEA*
*RED IS THE ONLY COLOR I CAN SEE*
Best line in the video

[deborahtawadros]

I wish I could get my son to do artwork. He's 22 has Duplication 15q syndrome and Autism but has a high IQ. He shows interest because I do a lot of art myself. I think he is afraid to try because he thinks it needs to be perfect but he has mild Cerebral Palsy that affects his hands so he has a hard time using pencils, pens, paint brushes and things like that. I told him art is not perfect it is just your own interpretation. I will keep trying with him.

[madcatzoskeos]

A person with a disability isn’t sick or crazy they are just unique

[que]

I wanna go to there even though I'm not disabled, there is just such a positive vibe