A Reason To Survive (ARTS)

Home
United States
National City, CA
A Reason To Survive (ARTS)

ARTS lifts young people to become confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity.

ARTS supports young people in reaching their full potential through creativity.

09/07/2026

✨ The ARTS Center will be closed today, Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. We will resume programming tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8th.

Thank you!

09/04/2026

🫟 ARTS is hiring! We are currently looking for a Facilities Assistant. If you are passionate about joining a team and contributing to the well-being and maintenance of creative spaces, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our creative community.

💻 For more information, visit: https://www.areasontosurvive.org/join-the-team

09/01/2026

🍁 Our Fall ARTS After Dark workshop, Piñata Fest, is just around the corner and will be the only one this season, so make sure to come out and celebrate with us! Your ticket purchase goes directly to our 25 Years of ARTS campaign, ensuring more community events like this one are possible in the years to come.✨

🪅 This workshop will provide a taste of tradition while celebrating Latine Heritage Month. We’ll learn how to construct a piñata from scratch and add a creative spin to it. The event will be led by our amazing ARTS Teaching Artist, Lerida Armendariz.✂️

🎉 It’s going to be a fun evening, perfect for everyone, no matter your skill level. All materials will be provided, and there will be opportunities to purchase b**r and w**e. Grab your friends & family and get ready for a night of tradition, creativity, and fun at the ARTS Center!

🎟 Reserve your ticket at: https://www.areasontosurvive.org/arts-after-dark/pinata-fest

🎂 Learn about our 25 Years of ARTS Campaign: https://www.areasontosurvive.org/donate

08/27/2026

In light of her recent passing, here's a project that celebrates the legacy of otherworldly-creative Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist whose work reached the ARTS Center and inspired the "Leaders Around the World" summer program curriculum.

🟣🔵 Known as the "Polka Dot Queen," young people were inspired by Yayoi's contemporary work, especially her famous installation, "The Obliteration Room," where visitors were encouraged to cover a completely white room with polka-dot stickers of various colors and sizes. 🟠🔴

🎨 Designed by Program Coordinator Katie Carrion, and guided by teaching artists like Elle Treese and Jerry Lopez (featured above), our Student Lounge was covered and filled with white, blank objects, such as paper trees, giant flowers, and floating lanterns. Elementary-aged students then decorated the entire space with polka-dot stickers, paying homage to an artist who deeply inspired them.

✨ Using the power of art to transform classrooms into spaces of belonging is a guiding principle of ARTS programs! We are happy to be back at the National School District this year, bringing more creative opportunities for young artists!

📋 For more information, visit areasontosurvive.org/arts-on-campus

08/21/2026

🎭 Join us for a special evening of live theater at the ARTS Center!

📅 We’re excited to welcome Mario Vega’s play, “Our Lady of the San Diego Convention Center,” on September 25th at 7 p.m. This powerful and heartfelt production explores immigration with care, humor, and humanity.

🌎 This is Vega’s second world premiere production with TuYo Theater, directed by Maria Patrice Amon and presented in collaboration with Casa Familiar.

🎟 Reserve your tickets and learn more at:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/our-lady-of-the-san-diego-convention-center-sept-25-at-7-pm-at-artsOpens a new window

🫟 We hope you’ll join us in September for a meaningful night of theater, community, and conversation!

08/19/2026

🫟 If you've ever thought about volunteering at ARTS, now is your chance to apply! The recruitment cycle runs from now through September. More information about which program, department, or event you can be matched with is available on our website. 👫👭👬

Visit https://www.areasontosurvive.org/volunteer to apply! 📋

08/13/2026

📅 We’re just about a week away from our last ARTS After Dark Summer Series event! These summer workshops have been a lot of fun, and we know this last one of the summer won't be any different!

🐔🐯 Next Friday we’ll learn how to design animal felt prints with various decorative elements to add dimension and texture to your pieces. The event will be led by our amazing ARTS Artist, Alo.🎨

🫟ARTS After Dark is a monthly 18+ art-making event where you can enjoy some music and drinks, while tapping into your creative side with exciting artist-led activities.

🎟️ Remember the FIRST 5 ticket sales will receive a free drink voucher, so hurry and take advantage of this special perk! Reserve your ticket now (link in bio):

https://www.areasontosurvive.org/arts-after-dark/animal-felt-tiles

08/12/2026

🎨 We're so excited to invite you to the opening reception of "Will You Still Hold My Hand?" reimagined, installed, and curated by young artists and curators from our Community ARTS program.

📅Join us on August 27 from 5–7 p.m. at the Front Arte y Cultura in San Ysidro. The show will run until September 10.

🗣️At the opening, we'll have the opportunity to hear directly from the youth curators and artists during their panel, learning about their experience preparing for this show, what they learned, and what this work means to them.

🥤Light refreshments will be provided!

✍To learn more about the preparation that went into this show, check out the blog post here: https://www.areasontosurvive.org/the-state-of-arts/youth-gallery-takeover

08/03/2026

📆 We’re excited to invite you to the last of the Summer Series ARTS After Dark events! These summer workshops have been so much fun, and this one won't be any different!

🐔🐯 For August, we’ll learn how to design animal felt prints with various decorative elements to add dimension and texture to your pieces. The event will be led by our amazing ARTS Artist, Alo.🎨

🫟ARTS After Dark is a monthly 18+ art-making event where you can enjoy some music and drinks, while tapping into your creative side with exciting artist-led activities.

🎟️ The FIRST 5 ticket sales will receive a free drink voucher, so hurry and take advantage of this special perk! Reserve your ticket now (link in bio):

https://www.areasontosurvive.org/arts-after-dark/animal-felt-tiles

Address

200 E 12th Street
National City, CA
91950

Telephone

+16192972787

Website

https://www.areasontosurvive.org/donate

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when A Reason To Survive (ARTS) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to A Reason To Survive (ARTS):

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in National City?