“Art opens up new opportunities for us to express ourselves through the work we do.”
— Daybreak Artist, Daniel Holmes
A Creative Ecosystem Built Around Opportunity
Daybreak Arts creates opportunities for people to make, learn, connect, share, and earn through the arts. Our programs are designed to meet people where they are—from someone picking up a paintbrush for the first time to an artist developing a professional practice, from a young person discovering a creative voice to a community member bringing original artwork into their home. Together, our programs create a creative ecosystem where art can be a pathway to connection, confidence, belonging, recognition, and economic opportunity.
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A reliable, accessible place to create. This is the physical foundation: Open Studio, work tables, supplies, storage, and a welcoming place to work.
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A place to belong. This covers relationships between artists, peer connection, collaboration, gatherings, shared experiences, and connection with the broader creative community.
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Opportunities to learn and develop. This includes workshops, teaching artists, skill-building, and opportunities to try something new.
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The different ways artists can create. Visual arts, photography & digital, craft & 3D, music, and writing.
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The practical tools artists need. Art supplies, artwork storage, information, equipment, professional resources, and other supports that reduce barriers to participation.
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Opportunities to experience art and culture beyond the studio. Field trips, museums, galleries, performances, artist studios, cultural events, and creative spaces.
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Opportunities to turn creativity into economic opportunity. Artwork sales, exhibitions, commissions, performances, teaching, creative services, and other paid opportunities.
Artist Collective Program
Our Artist Collective is the cornerstone of Daybreak Arts. The program provides seniors and adults experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity with free access to creative space, art supplies, learning opportunities, community, exhibitions, and opportunities to earn income from their work. Artists choose how they participate based on their interests and goals. Some may simply want a welcoming place to create and connect, while others may pursue exhibitions, workshops, commissions, performances, and creative income.
The Artist Collective brings together a range of creative disciplines and opportunities under one connected program.
Next Horizon Academy
Daybreak Arts’ Next Horizon Academy is a multi-year, skills-based education and mentorship program designed to support Daybreak Artists as they advance their professional art practice. Built in response to artists’ desire for deeper learning and growth, the Next Horizon Academy offers structured pathways that help artists hone their craft, strengthen their creative voice, navigate the professional art world, and reach what’s next in their artistic careers.
Artist Development: Workshops and individualized support focused on creative practice, professional skills, portfolios, creative business, and opportunity development.
Mentorship: Connections with professional artists and creative professionals who can provide guidance, perspective, encouragement, and industry knowledge.
Gigi’s Creative Corner
Gigi’s Creative Corner is Daybreak Arts’ youth arts program initiative, created in loving memory of artist Gwendolyn “Gigi” Johnson. Through partnerships with schools and nonprofit organizations, the program brings accessible art experiences directly to young people where they already are—after school, during the summer, and in community spaces. Youth build confidence, creativity, and meaningful friendships while learning from professional Daybreak teaching artists whose lived experience and mentorship foster connection across generations.
Shared Walls Art Program
Our Shared Walls Art Program (SWAP) provides an art piece to both a sponsor and a low-income individual or family moving into affordable housing provided by Urban Housing Solutions (UHS). SWAP also provides income, resources, and confidence to artists impacted by homelessness in our Artist Collective Program. Help make art ownership more accessible by becoming a SWAP sponsor today!
“When you don’t have the right school, the right gallery, and the right representation, you don’t get seen. Daybreak Arts is a really great way to get my artwork out there and make a little money.”
— Daybreak Artist, BANDY