Inspiring Learning Through and With The Arts
For over 70 years, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) has been transforming the educational landscape in Northeast Ohio by providing high-quality arts education that empowers youth. As an affiliate of the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network, CAL partners with schools, districts, and community organizations to offer creative learning experiences across dance, theater, music, visual arts, digital arts, and more. Through these partnerships, CAL serves thousands of youth annually, helping them develop the critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
At CAL, we are driven by a mission to inspire youth through the power of the arts. Our roster of professional teaching artists brings their expertise into classrooms and communities, collaborating with educators to provide integrated arts-based learning that is academically enriching and personally empowering. We are committed to creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for all youth, helping them realize their full potential, and making a lasting impact on their lives and the communities we serve.
SHAPING FUTURES THROUGH THE ARTS
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) is proud to be part of the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network, established in 1952. This collaborative network reaches millions each year, advancing arts education through advocacy, professional development, and shared resources. We’re honored to contribute to this collective effort, making the arts accessible and transformative for youth nationwide.
OUR NATIONAL NETWORK
OUR MISSION
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning champions creative learning, drives educational innovation, and transforms lives through collaborative efforts involving teaching artists, students, educators, and communities.
OUR VISION
It is our vision to change lives and improve communities as the leader in making the arts a core component of every student’s education and development.
Meet the Team Making It Happen
HOW WE MAKE IT HAPPEN
Teaching Artists & venue partnerships
We connect schools and community organizations with professional Teaching Artists to deliver arts-integrated programming. Through in-class workshops and long-term residencies, our artists help enhance creativity and critical thinking while aligning with state curriculum standards.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
CAL offers free arts programs in community spaces around Cleveland, providing youth in grades 3-12 opportunities for self-expression and creativity. Our programs, such as ArtWorks, a paid apprenticeship for high school students, and Inspiration Through Music, which offers free year-round music lessons, are designed to inspire and empower youth through hands-on creative learning. These programs create a supportive environment for youth to engage in the arts and develop valuable skills.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CAL offers professional development for educators, teaching artists, and youth development leaders, aiming to strengthen arts integration and improve student outcomes. We provide sessions on classroom and behavior management, arts integration, evaluation and assessment, and can also customize training to meet the unique needs of your organization or school. Our goal is to equip educators with the tools necessary to create meaningful, arts-driven learning experiences.
Explore the incredible supporters who help us provide transformative programming for youth, artists, and educators across Northeast Ohio, keeping our mission alive and thriving.
the values we stand by
Equity and access
Children of all socioeconomic backgrounds have opportunities for creative self-expression.
Academic alignment
Creative learning experiences and instructional approaches are designed to increase academic success, social-emotional learning, and family and community engagement. They are customized to address core curricular needs.
Artistic excellence
Compelling, high-quality artistry is demonstrated by all teaching artists through a diversity of authentic engaging residencies, workshops, and performances.
Innovation
We pioneer new approaches, take risks, and use research to inform best practices.
Collaboration
We achieve greater results by fostering connections among our ever-expanding networks of arts professionals, teachers, school leaders, nonprofit, business, and philanthropic partners.
Accountability
We adhere to the highest standards of integrity and responsibility while delivering results.
More of what matters to us:
BY THE NUMBERS
Data pulled from the 2023-2024 program year
CAL’S Latest News
Our Work In Action
We’re in over 230 organizations and serve nearly 240,000 youth annually. See how we’ve made an impact.
