Youth Programs*

The Arts Alliance of Putnam (AAP), in partnership with River City Players (RCP), seeks to reestablish and expand community-based art and theater education at the historic Larimer Arts Center in downtown Palatka, Florida. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Larimer served as a creative hub for youth arts programming. This initiative will restore those opportunities and introduce new classes for adults and seniors, offering inclusive, lifelong access to the arts.

Grounded in the belief that the arts are essential to human development and community vitality, this program will offer instruction across a variety of visual and performing arts disciplines. Classes will be taught by local artists and educators, supporting both workforce development within the creative sector and culturally responsive programming tailored to our community.

To ensure access for all, AAP will implement an income-based sliding scale and actively partner with schools, nonprofits, and social service organizations to reach children and families most in need. This commitment is vital in a community where, as of 2023, 41.1% of children in Putnam County live below the poverty line—a stark indicator of economic hardship and limited access to enrichment opportunities.

This project is not simply about teaching art. It is about rebuilding a sense of place, purpose, and possibility for a community that has faced significant barriers to opportunity. Through creative expression, we aim to foster resilience, nurture talent, and ignite joy—one class, one child, one family at a time.

 

Arts Classes:

 

Mondays & Wednesdays

 

Children age 5 - 9 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm. 

Youth ages 10 - 13 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

 

Theater Classes: 

 

Tuesdays & Thursdays 

 

Children age 5 - 9 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm. 

Youth ages 10 - 13 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm.