Center for Arts-Inspired Learning: Commitment to Supporting All Youth Through the Arts
May, 2025 - For more than 70 years, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) has dedicated itself to enriching the lives of young people through the arts, enhancing their cognitive, social-emotional, and physical well-being. We believe in the transformative power of the arts to foster self-expression, build community, and advocate for fairness. As we continue this mission, we reaffirm our commitment to providing welcoming and supportive spaces where all youth - regardless of their backgrounds, experiences, or identities - can learn, create, and thrive.
In light of recent news CAL Reaffirms and Commits to our core values:
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 highest standards of integrity and responsibility while delivering results.
As we move forward, we acknowledge that there is always more to learn and do. We pledge to be part of the solution—continuing our work to ensure that every young person has access to the arts as a powerful tool for self-expression, advocacy, and personal growth.
Respectfully, The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning Board of Directors & Staff
About the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL)
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) has a rich legacy dating back to 1953 as Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland, founded by George Szell. For over 70 years, CAL has been a pioneer in championing creative learning and leading arts education across 18 counties. With a focus to drive educational innovation, we engage approximately 75+ professional teaching artists in dance, theater, music, digital arts, visual arts while constantly adding new art forms to our selection. Our programs integrate the arts into academic, cognitive, social-emotional, personal, and professional growth, providing well-rounded experiences for youth from preschool to 12th grade. CAL ensures arts education continues at every developmental stage, empowering youth to pursue dreams, build skills, and thrive in school and beyond. Its four primary service platforms include:
Arts-integrated programs: (PreK-12th grade students) created to instill the arts in learning through in-person and virtual classes offered by educators, schools, libraries, community organizations, and other venues.
Sprouts: program prepares Pre-school and Kindergarten participants for future success by enriching curriculum through arts activities that keeps kids captivated and transforms learning into play.
ArtWorks: arts education and workforce development apprenticeships (10th-12th grade students).
Inspiration Through Music: programs (3rd-12th grade students living in Cleveland or attending a school within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District) offering beginner-to-intermediate instrument instruction and free instruments upon successful completion of the program.
Professional Development: for educators looking to integrate art into their teaching practices and artists preparing to positively impact students as teachers.
CAL’s mission is to champion creative learning, drive educational innovation, and transform lives through collaborative efforts involving teaching artists, students, educators, and communities.