// History of Living Arts
Founded by Christine Blunden as Southwest Dance in 1999, the program initially offered four weekly classes and served 19 students. Living Arts was formally established as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in 2002. From there Living Arts has developed into a multi-faceted arts provider dedicated to youth development, cultural enrichment, and the progress of the entire community.
In 2008 El Arte Alliance, a 12 year-old coalition of Detroit teachers, artists, schools and community organizations dedicated to improving youth academic outcomes, merged with Living Arts to become our arts-infused education division. Together, we have strengthened our presence in Southwest Detroit, serving over 2,000 community members with quality arts and culture experiences.
Today Living Arts offers more than twenty-five professionally taught studio dance classes, is a leader in arts-infused education through its El Arte division, and successfully partners with local artists, arts and culture organizations, schools, social service agencies, community development corporations, and churches. Through these varied partnerships Living Arts is making a unique contribution to what is an emerging and vibrant arts and culture district in Southwest Detroit.
“We truly believe dance and other art forms are a powerful way for youth and adults to connect and express themselves in ways that both enrich the individual and the community as a whole,” said Blunden.
Living Arts and the El Arte arts infused division have both been recognized with awards for Organizational Excellence by the Youth Development Commission and Best Practices by ArtServe Michigan.
