Inner-City Arts, the non-profit arts education center smack in the middle of Downtown Los Angeles’ skid row, held the grand opening for their newly expanded campus today. A parade of children wound around the gleaming white complex on Kohler Street carrying kites, pinwheels and other artwork they created.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa led a group of community leaders and donors in a ribbon cutting ceremony that gave way to performances by musicians, dancers and puppeteers and a walking tour of the campus.

Opened in 1989, Inner-City Arts has been serving thousands of LA’s most at-risk elementary, middle and high school students each year, using the arts as a tool in teaching academic subjects. The organization serves at no cost to students.

Photos: Keith Knueven

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