Admirable support has been rallied on behalf of major institutions, such as the symphony, opera, ballet and civic art museums. They are important, and need and deserve the funding they get; however, they cannot serve all -- or even the majority -- of the diverse cultural needs of this very diverse city.

Instead, they represent a starting point from which to build up a strong, inclusive and diversified local arts infrastructure.

Impeding this is the widely recognized lack of funding resources and expertise for grassroots arts organizations, and for the marginalized and/or culturally diverse artists who are the backbone of the local arts infrastructure.

Independent Arts & Media responds to this need by creating arts resources and services for those who are outside of the largest institutional structures, either due to economic disadvantage, nontraditional/underground status, or cultural orientation.

Our two primary Community Arts Education programs are:

• The Expo for Independent Arts


• DIY Workshops & Community Mentoring