William Grant Still Arts Center

William Grant Still Arts Center Tuesday - Saturday 12- 5 pm

Founded in 1977, William Grant Still Arts Center is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs offering summer camp, creative workshops, music and art classes for adults and youth, an exhibition space, concerts, and places for community meetings and the neighborhood to come together. The Center offers:

Art, movement, and music classes for seniors, adults, teens, and chil

dren, including early childhood education;
Professionally-produced exhibitions including the annual Black Doll Show for over 35 years and the African-American Composers Exhibition and Education series that displays archives and teaches music/art through the life and work of a selected composer;
Art & Jazz Summer Day Camp for ages 3-12;
Jazz-based ensemble instruction;
Partnerships with teachers at local schools and universities; and
Readings, film screenings, and concerts throughout the year
Our namesake, Dr. William Grant Still, first coined the term “art music”, which is very much in line the educational goals of our community arts center. All of the William Grant Still Arts Center’s programs are free, or are as low-cost as is possible, in order to be accessible to all in our community.

The Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center are having a Book Sale fundraiser for Black August!Join Kumasi, member of...
08/04/2026

The Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center are having a Book Sale fundraiser for Black August!
Join Kumasi, member of the Slausons social club/street organization, prison movement leader, and comrade of Soledad Brother George Jackson, in conversation with a special guest for a discussion on Black liberation, organizing, and the legacy of Black August.

Browse hundreds of books for just $4 each or 3 for $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center. Enjoy a community tie-dye station, light refreshments, or bring your own brown bag lunch.

August 22nd | 11am - 4pm
Books: $4 each or 3 for $10
Community tie-dye station
Suggested tie-dye donation $20

Light refreshments provided (or bring a brown bag lunch!)
All book sale proceeds benefit the Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center.
Come grow your book collection!

07/24/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks to share stories honoring the life and legacy of Aiysha Sinclair. The vibe was up! Bright colorful masks and west African rhythms helped us honor the community members and family who came before us.

Thank you to LA Commons for bringing the community together for this meaningful annual tradition in Leimert Park.

The Congo Recalibration Cycle: ZAMANIFilms from Yole!Africa with Petna Ndaliko Katondolo petna_ndaliko_katondolo Presen...
07/23/2026

The Congo Recalibration Cycle: ZAMANI
Films from Yole!Africa with Petna Ndaliko Katondolo petna_ndaliko_katondolo

Presented by Black Film Assembly with support from and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

July 25 2026, 7PM at 2220 Arts & Archives
2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90057
Suggested donation for : $10-20 (Nobody turned away due to lack of funds)

The Kongo Recalibration Cycle is an evolving body of films in which Kongo is not presented as a site of crisis, but as a living epistemology that recalibrates our relationship to memory, technology, ecology, and the imagination.

A night of films from Yole!Africa founder, filmmaker and mwalimu Petna Ndaliko Katondolo along with work from Yole!Africa filmmakers from Goma, Congo exploring matriarchal return.

Within the Soulfull-Soil Cinema form - Yole!Africa’s school and mode of filmmaking channelled by Mzee Petna, films follow the logic of Ejo-Lobi storytelling where the future of the past is braided into the past of the future, weaving rhythms across dimensions. Where images are not cut but braided into the logic, weaving in the Murago way, with soulful-soil cinema principles.

The program includes special advance screenings of films from Goma speaking from a matriarchal perspective and legacy, through filmmaking choices and approaches in storytelling. In addition, there will be previews of an additional upcoming film from Petna Ndaliko Katondolo, as well as films from the Rhythmic Dream Architextures course taught by Matazi Weathers Rhythmic Dream Architextures as part of Yole’s new Cinema Celluloid Department.

After the screening, join Petna Ndaliko Katondolo and Matazi Weathers, in a community circle in the Yole!Africa form moderated by Jheanelle Brown for conversation and reflection on the program’s films and Yole!Africa’s work.

Program presented by Black Film Assembly - a living mycelium responsive to the needs of Black filmmakers, cultural workers, storytelling practitioners rooted in Los Angeles and blooming across diasporic geographies.

Films by & more

What a day at the K-Town Watch Party Festival!William Grant Still Arts Center was proud to join thousands of community m...
06/26/2026

What a day at the K-Town Watch Party Festival!

William Grant Still Arts Center was proud to join thousands of community members at Seoul International Park for a day filled with culture, connection, creativity, and World Cup excitement.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the WGSAC booth, shared conversations, learned about upcoming programs, and celebrated alongside neighbors from across Los Angeles. Events like these remind us of the power of arts and culture to bring communities together.

A special thank you to the organizers, volunteers, performers, and attendees who made the day such a success.
Were you there? Tag yourself, your friends, and share your favorite moments from the festival in the comments below!

Good news for busy families!William Grant Still Arts Center's Art & Jazz Mini Camp is now offering Early Care for regist...
06/24/2026

Good news for busy families!

William Grant Still Arts Center's Art & Jazz Mini Camp is now offering Early Care for registered campers. Children can be dropped off as early as 8:45 AM to enjoy supervised activities before daily enrichment begins.

There's still time to join the fun! Registration has been extended through July 6!

Campers will explore music, visual arts, singing and songwriting, guitar, cartooning, zine making, African martial arts, and more while building creativity, confidence, and community.

Camp Dates: July 6–31
Early Care Begins: 8:45 AM
Registration Extended Through July 6

Spaces are still available. Secure a spot today!

William Grant Still Arts Center will be at Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks in Leimert Park on Sunday, June 28th!...
06/24/2026

William Grant Still Arts Center will be at Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks in Leimert Park on Sunday, June 28th!

This special gathering honors those who have made their transition and celebrates the enduring impact they continue to have on families, communities, and future generations. The Center will be present in remembrance of beloved community members, including artist and cultural leader Aiysha Sinclair, whose legacy continues to inspire.

Stop by, connect with community, and take part in this meaningful day of reflection, celebration, and ancestral remembrance.

:round_pushpin: Leimert Park
:spiral_calendar_pad: Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks

Music, movement, artmaking, storytelling, film screenings, and food trucks cometogether at ’s THIS LAND IS … Community F...
06/23/2026

Music, movement, artmaking, storytelling, film screenings, and food trucks come
together at ’s THIS LAND IS … Community Festival on Sunday, June 28th.

William Grant Still Arts Center will be there! Come and make a MOJO DOLL with artist Adrienne DeVine!

Join artists and organizations from across Southern California for a festive day of
performances, hands-on activities, gallery conversations, and experiences for all ages.

Reservations are required and capacity is limited. Email us at [email protected] for the ticket link.

Not every summer program gives young people the opportunity to discover who they are while exploring multiple creative p...
06/17/2026

Not every summer program gives young people the opportunity to discover who they are while exploring multiple creative paths.

At William Grant Still Arts Center’s Art & Jazz Mini Camp, participants are encouraged to build confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and self-expression through the arts. Rather than focusing on a single discipline, youth are introduced to a variety of creative experiences that help them uncover their passions and develop lifelong skills.

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Guitar with Kevin Soriano
Cartooning with Nelan-Ay Miller
Singing & Songwriting with Cydney Wayne Davis
Visual Arts with Adrienne DeVine
African Martial Arts with Omo Ade
Zine Making with WGSAC Staff

By exploring multiple artistic disciplines, participants gain the freedom to discover what resonates with them most while learning from professional artists, educators, and mentors who are invested in their growth.

This is a place to make friends, build character, develop new skills, and find your creative voice.

Registration is now open. Link in bio.

06/12/2026

Before they take the stage at the closing reception of Mystic Soil: From the Roots of Reggie Andrews, take a trip back in time with the legendary Locke Saints Band.

Under the direction and mentorship of celebrated educator, musician, and luminary Reggie Andrews, the Locke Saints became known for their excellence both on and off the stage; including memorable appearances on television, like this moment on Family Matters helping Steve Urkel with one of his classic schemes.

Now, the Locke Saints return to honor the legacy of the man who helped shape generations of musicians.

Mystic Soil: From the Roots of Reggie Andrews – Closing Reception
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Locke Saints Performance: between 2-5 PM
Final Exhibition Viewing (WGSAC will still open at 12)
William Grant Still Arts Center
2520 S. West View Street, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Free and open to the public
Refreshments will be served

Join family, friends, former students, and community members for an afternoon celebrating the enduring impact of Reggie Andrews through music, memory, and fellowship.

William Grant Still Arts Center is excited to be part of the K-Town Watch Party Festival on Thursday, June 18!Stop by th...
06/11/2026

William Grant Still Arts Center is excited to be part of the K-Town Watch Party Festival on Thursday, June 18!

Stop by the WGSAC booth at Seoul International Park and make lucha libre masks with World Cup themes as South Korea takes on Mexico.

:round_pushpin: Seoul International Park
3250 San Marino St.
:clock10: Festival Begins at 10 AM
:clock10: WGSAC will be there fro 12-6 PM
:soccer: Match Kickoff at 6 PM
:admission_tickets: Free Admission

With the aid of templates, participants will cut out lucha libre style masks from colored paper using Korea or Mexico national colors. Each person will decorate their mask and fold them into 3d masks to wear during the game.

There will be live performances, giveaways, activities for all ages, raffle prizes, and more. Arrive early to enjoy everything the festival has to offer!

Come celebrate! WGSAC looks forward to seeing you there!

Address

2520 S. West View Street
Los Angeles, CA
90016

Telephone

+13237341165

Website

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