New Orleans youth nonprofit has served over 10,000 families with accessible, year-round arts education, and it’s just getting started
NEW ORLEANS – In a city defined by creativity, Upturn Arts has quietly built one of New Orleans’ most impactful youth programs, meeting families where they are and growing with purpose since 2010. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the organization is pulling back the curtain on a story of thousands of young artists whose lives have been transformed by access to the arts.
“We’ve never needed the spotlight,” said Executive Director Dana Reed. “But after 15 years, we want people to see what’s possible when you invest in children, artists, and access.”
Childcare Crisis, Creative Solutions
With summer childcare averaging over $300 per week in Louisiana, Upturn Arts offers full-day arts programming at a fraction of the cost, reducing fees by up to 94% through a sliding scale model. Each week includes art education, meals, and trauma-informed care.
“For our family, Upturn Arts was more than camp; it was a turning point,” said the parent of a young boy recently diagnosed with autism. “By the end of the summer, he began speaking and even performed on stage for the first time. It changed everything for our family.”
Another parent shared how their two boys, who had survived trauma, found healing through the program. “ Having a safe, reliable, and stable environment helped heal my children and got us in a more stable place as we got ready to go back to school in the fall.”
More Kids Are Waiting
Open every school break and all summer, Upturn Arts remained a lifeline during the pandemic, offering virtual and hybrid options to maintain consistency and care. Today, with over 50 kids on a growing waitlist, the organization is ready to expand but still faces funding gaps.
“This isn’t just a celebration,” said Reed. “It’s a call to invest in a future where every New Orleans child has the space, support, and tools to become who they’re meant to be.”
About Upturn Arts
Founded in 2010, Upturn Arts is a New Orleans-based nonprofit that provides “arts for all” through affordable programming in dance, music, visual art, and theater. With a focus on accessibility, trauma-informed care, and creative confidence, the organization serves nearly 1,000 children annually and supports the next generation of New Orleans artists.