We’re Expanding the Campaign to Fully Launch the CACC

We are incredibly grateful to be nearing our original $500,000 fundraising goal for the Blackburn Foundation Creative Community Center.

As construction, design, and programming have moved forward, the full scope of creating a 4,000-square-foot community arts space has become clearer. The costs of completing the build-out, furnishing and equipping the center, and ensuring that free programming can be offered throughout its first year are greater than originally projected.

For that reason, we are expanding our fundraising goal. Additional support will help us open the CACC fully equipped, complete the space with care, and provide a strong foundation for its first year of free music, art, creative programming, and community connection.

Every gift beyond our original goal helps turn this vision into a lasting community resource.

Building a Free Community Arts Space

The Blackburn Foundation is creating a Creative Community Center in West Los Angeles, a free, welcoming space where music, art, and creative expression bring people together and support healing, connection, and long-term recovery.

This center will be open to the community at no cost, offering access to music, visual arts, creative programming, and supportive connection for individuals and families impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, and isolation.

What the Space Offers

We are creating a 2,500–3,000 square foot Creative Community Center in Los Angeles, a welcoming, purpose-built space where music, visual art, and human connection support healing, confidence, and long-term recovery.

This center is intentionally designed to feel non-clinical, inclusive, and inspiring, offering structure without pressure and creativity without cost.

Music Programming

Music is a powerful tool for expression, confidence, and emotional regulation. The center will offer:

Free one-on-one and small-group music lessons, supporting beginners and experienced musicians alike
Weekly recovery-based community music night, providing a structured, supportive environment for performance and creative expression
Live music performances and showcases, where participants can share original work or covers in a setting focused on encouragement rather than perfection
Opportunities for songwriting, vocal exploration, and instrumental practice that build confidence and emotional resilience

Music programming emphasizes participation, pride, and connection, helping individuals rediscover joy and purpose through sound and performance.

Visual Art Programming

Visual art offers a tangible way to process emotion, reduce stress, and build self-esteem. The center will host:

Beginner drawing and painting classes, accessible to those with little or no prior experience
Weekly visual art workshops, rotating mediums such as acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, and expressive art
Monthly community art gallery shows, featuring work from local and community artists and giving participants the opportunity to exhibit their creations publicly

These offerings allow individuals to create something they can see, share, and feel proud of, often for the first time in years.

Community & Support

Creative programming is supported by intentional community care and connection. The center will provide:

Free counseling and mentorship, integrated into the creative environment to support emotional wellbeing and accountability
Recovery-aligned peer support meetings, offering connection and shared experience in a welcoming, non-stigmatizing space
Monthly community gatherings and creative events, bringing together participants, families, artists, donors, and community members

This blend of creativity and support helps transform isolation into belonging and participation into purpose.

Why It Matters

All programming is free, inclusive, and low-barrier, ensuring that cost, background, or experience never prevent someone from participating. The Creative Community Center exists to give people a place to feel alive, confident, and proud of themselves again, through music, art, and meaningful connection.

Creativity reaches people in ways that words alone often can’t.

Music and art create joy, confidence, and passion, especially for people in recovery, when traditional tools like therapy, meetings, or conversation fall short. Creative expression gives people a way to reconnect with themselves, experience pride, and rediscover a sense of purpose.

We’ve seen it firsthand:

A first guitar chord sparks a genuine smile and a sense of possibility
Singing in front of others replaces shame with confidence
Creating or performing gives people something positive to hold onto during difficult moments

When someone creates, when they play, sing, paint, or perform, they experience purpose. They feel proud of what they’re contributing. They feel seen.

Your Impact

This initial fundraising effort will allow the Blackburn Foundation to secure a space, build out programming, and sustain operations during the Center’s first year. With this foundation in place, the Creative Community Center is designed to generate ongoing donations and community support through events and programming, with the goal of becoming financially self-sustaining over time.

Your contribution helps make this space possible. By supporting this campaign, you are helping us open the doors, establish free creative programming, and build a community resource that can thrive long after its first year.

Help us build a space where creativity heals!

The Blackburn Foundation Creative Community Center