Brief History of Arts at LAYC

From LAYC's earliest days in the late 1960s, the arts have been an integral part of the center's programming.  LAYC quickly became a place where young aspiring artists could express themselves.  Murals representing the history and beauty of diverse Latin American cultures began appearing in the community, street theatre educated DC residents about political realties in Latin America and the United States, and photography captured key moments in the community's evolution.

In the fall of 2004, LAYC opened the art + media house.  Youth now have a dedicated space -- spread over four floors of a renovated building on 3035 15th Street, NW, just around the corner from LAYC's anchor site on Columbia Road -- where they can work with professional staff and get the training they need to create and express themselves.

Philosophy

The Art & Media House philosophy introduces young people to the basic skills of a specific artistic medium while focusing on the subject they know best - themselves, thus encouraging students to draw inspiration from their own lives, communities, and cultures. As youth move through sequenced courses, they explore subjects beyond self, gaining the skills to document the neighborhood and explore community issues.