Sacramento’s homE for artS, CulturE, And Creative education.

CLARA is a nonprofit arts center in midtown Sacramento. We bring performing arts education to thousands of students, host hundreds of classes and events every week, and provide permanent studio space to the region's most beloved cultural organizations.

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what is clara

CLARA, the E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit occupying a beautifully restored historic schoolhouse in midtown Sacramento. We opened our doors in 2016 with a simple belief: the arts belong to everyone.

Today, CLARA is one of the Sacramento region's leading providers of arts education, delivering thousands of hours of instruction to students in Title I public schools each year. Our building is also home to six to nine resident arts organizations, ranging from professional ballet to Irish dance to professional theater, and our community event space hosts close to 100 classes, performances, rehearsals, and public gatherings every single week.

The word 'CLARK' overlaid on a turquoise, stylized eye with brushstroke details on a black background.

three ways to be a part of clara

  • Children sitting and playing drums during a music lesson or performance, led by an instructor.

    Take a Class or Attend an Event

    From yoga to ballet to theater workshops, something is always happening at CLARA. Browse the calendar or explore our arts education programs to find your next class or performance.

    SEE WHAT'S ON
  • A classroom with young children participating in a dance or movement activity, led by an instructor wearing a black shirt labeled 'Teaching Artist'. There are whiteboards and educational posters on the walls.

    Bring the Arts to Your School

    CLARA offers in-school teaching artist residencies, digital learning tools, and summer camp programs for students across the Sacramento region.

    LEARN ABOUT ARTS EDUCATION
  • Aerial view of a large brick building with palm trees and a parking lot filled with cars.

    Support CLARA

    CLARA is a nonprofit, and individual donors make our work possible. A gift of any size helps us reach more students, sustain our resident organizations, and keep our doors open to the community.

    GIVE TODAY

by the numbers

Here's a snapshot of what we've accomplished together.

0 Students Served In-Person in 2024–25
0 Hours of Live Arts Education Delivered
0 Additional Students Reached via CLARA Classroom
0 Classes & Events Hosted Each Week
0 Resident Arts Organizations
2016 Serving the Sacramento Region Since

our resident arts organizations

  • The logo of Allegiance Software, featuring a stylized lowercase 'a' in red with a curved line extending to the right, forming a shape that resembles a check mark or swoosh, alongside the company name in black and purple text.
  • Stylized red circular brushstroke with the words 'capital stage' in black text inside
  • A logo with a red Celtic knot heart at the top and the words "MADDIE MOORE" written below in black, with additional smaller text underneath.
  • Black background with gold uppercase text that reads 'SACRAMENTO' in the center.
  • Black logo resembling a stylized letter 'S' in a circular design
  • A black circular sticker with the white text 'Thanks a Latte' in the center.
  • A logo features a stylized golden outline of a Aztec or ancient Mesoamerican figure with a headdress, combined with a gear. Below the logo, the text 'Teatro Nacial' is written in bold, uppercase letters.
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