ABOUT

CLARA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization with a mission to drive equitable creative and cultural education and expression in the greater Sacramento region.

our story

CLARA is a community arts hub where artists, arts organizations, students, educators, and neighbors come together to create, learn, and connect.

Housed in the historic Fremont School at 24th and N Streets, CLARA began with a simple idea: create a shared home where Sacramento's arts organizations could thrive and the community can experience the arts close to home. 

What started as a creative reuse project and landlord-tenant model has grown into something much more. CLARA brings teaching artists into classrooms, provides online arts learning, and partners with local school districts to make meaningful arts experiences part of students' everyday education; while the building is home to a growing network of arts organizations and artists, with spaces hosting daily performances, rehearsals, classes, pop-ups, gatherings, and creative collaborations.

Increasingly, CLARA is a place for people of all ages to participate in the arts; support the local creative economy; and make arts, creativity, and community connection part of everyday life.

what we do

  • Deliver high-quality performing arts education to students in Title I public schools across the Sacramento region

  • Host community events, classes, and performances at our midtown Sacramento facility

  • Provide permanent, affordable rehearsal and administrative space to more than 10 resident arts organizations & community partners

  • Train professional teaching artists to deliver arts education in schools and community settings — allowing them to earn stabilizing revenue, as well.

our values

  • EQUITY

    We believe every child deserves access to the arts, regardless of zip code or school budget. Our programs prioritize students and communities with the least access to arts education.

  • COMMUNITY

    CLARA exists to strengthen Sacramento's creative sector, not just by educating students, but by giving local artists and organizations a permanent, affordable home.

  • EXCELLENCE

    We hold our programs to high standards. Our teaching artists are professional performers and educators, and we work continuously to grow the quality and reach of everything we do.

clara in the community

CLARA is proud to partner with Sacramento City Unified School District, whose long-term lease of the Fremont School building makes our work possible. Our education programs are also found in Elk Grove, Natomas, and Twin Rivers Unified School Districts.

We continue to be grateful for the ongoing support of the City of Sacramento, the partnership of our resident arts organizations, and our many foundation, corporate, and individual donors.