Egg #7- Inner-City Arts

Our eyes were assaulted with the dirty industry area of downtown Los Angeles as we wondered how an arts school for kids could exist in the same district that houses skidrow. After only a few wrong turns a simple black gate opened and our car ascended the parking ramp into a world of white. We were greeted by a cheery groundsman who, in his polo that said “creative landscaping” (our first indication that the value of creativity permeates every aspect of Inner-City Arts) assured us that it was fine to double park people.  Bob Bates soon joined us and we began our tour of the grounds. However, we did not get very far because our first questions caused Bob to invite us to sit in the courtyard that has enough trees and variety of trees to be considered an urban forest.

We were tickled pink to find ourselves sitting with the founder of what is considered to be one of the best inner-city arts programs to the youth of L.A. Bob described how ICA began as a very clear dream in which the being he dubs the “Mystery” told him, “you are to start an arts based program for kids.” Bob told us the story of the journey he has been on from originally receiving the vision to what ICA is today. He was very honesty about the set-backs they have faced but how each time staying connected to the Mystery and obeying its Direction always provided and opened the right door at the right time.

The whole shebantz started in a small space next to a denim acid-washing company that they eventually got evicted from. However, before they got evicted a businessman named Irv caught the vision of what Bob was doing and when they were evicted, helped find and fund ICA’s new location. Bob would say that its because of Irv that ICA has become what it has today; Irv took Bob’s vision and made it bigger by seeing all the possibilities that his financial backing and extensive connections could achieve.

So you may be wondering what it looks like today. We saw the following as we toured the campus; a high-vaulted visual arts room that is used for teaching all ages, children to teachers; a music room complete with Orff instruments and many, many cool drums; an extensive ceramics lab with multiple potter’s wheels and cute little smocks hung on personal cubbies; a brand new theatre equipped for all types of performances;  a dance room; an animation room with computers for all types of graphic arts; and the crowning jewel, Bob’s personal project, the Creativity Lab. You wonder what that is? So did we. What Bethany found was a haven where science and art are married as students apply the scientific process and concepts to create things like marble ramps and fly wheels that solve any number of presented problems using art supplies and their raw creative powers. All spaces boasted impressive student art-work and would cause any visitor to pause and admire the workmanship displayed.

We were inspired by this tall, philosophical, craftsman and teacher. He was excited to hear about our ideas and quick to give us valuable advice. The following things he repeated over and over, reminding us of both their value and weight

1.     Stay connected with the Mystery. From there, you derive power that you cannot get anywhere else. Ride the energy of the Mystery. Let that be the energy source that drives you forward. If you lose relationship with God, you’re just doing art for art’s sake. NO. We are doing art so people turn their eyes to HIM.

2.     Clear vision. Know your vision. Know your vision. Know your vision. Keep your eyes on the target. As part of this he encouraged us to have a simple elevator pitch to share with any and every passerby who would listen.

3.     Be humble. Don’t burn any bridges, make friends to create a web of human beings who are on your side and always bring those people to the vision. Don’t be so attached to the “what” you’re envisioning that you aren’t teachable or open to someone else shifting the “what.”

4.     Find a space. Get started. People will be on board when they see the space and the kids working in that space. So, if you have an idea of a place to start an arts center in Salem, please let Becca know.

At the end of our tour Bob showed us a picture of an areal view of Inner-city Arts. In the photo the white building shines like a beacon amidst the grey of downtown L.A. This is a testament to what they are trying to accomplish, bringing hope and empowerment to kids through many art forms in the midst of a world where they are otherwise hopeless and powerless.