About Us

Serving students of all ages and abilities

Art Works Now serves students of all ages and abilities and provides them with age-appropriate, high-quality arts learning experiences catered to their interests and needs. We provide students with the tools, instruction, and a great studio space to stimulate creative exploration alongside a community of their peers.

About Art Works Now
AWN Vision

Vision

Art Works Now envisions a world where all people explore and engage in creative practices that transform their lives and their communities.

AWN Mission

Mission

Our mission is to build and nurture community through inclusive visual arts and social justice experiences.

AWN Values

Values

Our guiding values of Compassion, Equity, Inclusion, Integrity, and Joy are activated through our commitment to reducing economic barriers to art education and the accountable relationships we nurture with our community.

Each Year Art Works Now:

 

ENGAGES the community by welcoming:

    • 2000+ students to inspire creativity in our skill-based classes and camps
    • 600+ guests to create art at our Spring Art Fest FUNdraiser and Barbara’s Gingerbread Bash
    • 350+ Creative Aging students to our free and accessible in-person and virtual classes
    • 14 scholarship students to attend Summer Camp

NURTURES the community by:

    • Partnering with Title 1 schools in Prince George’s County to provide art enrichment to students
    • Working with local schools, universities, businesses, cities, and other non-profit organizations
    • Leading arts activities at events celebrating Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Community Festivals, and more.

Our History

Art Works Now was founded in 2011 by Barbara Johnson, who recognized the need for a new approach to visual arts education. What began with only a dozen students has grown to support the creative lives of thousands of creators of all ages. For more than 12 years, Art Works Now has worked to create a stronger community by promoting engagement in the visual arts through high quality, accessible, social justice oriented arts education for students across age, economic, and ability spectrums.

Our move in 2017 from our original location in Mt. Rainier, MD, to a 4,000 square foot ADA-accessible facility in the Gateway Arts District in Hyattsville, has enabled us to expand the geographic area we serve, increase onsite programming, and expand accessibility for those with physical disabilities.

Our Team