A leader at the cultural heart of Los Angeles County, The Music Center brings to life one of the world’s premier arts destinations by creating opportunities for arts participation, enabling compelling programming and providing first-class venues and services.
The Music Center is one of the largest and most highly regarded performing arts centers in the country, creating a cultural hub that is central to L.A.’s status as “the creative capital” of the world. Celebrated for its illustrious dance presentations and home to four world-class resident companies, The Music Center is the place to experience the most innovative and critically-acclaimed performing arts in the nation. Each year, over one million audience members delight in the excitement of live performances on The Music Center’s stages and enjoy free community arts events all year long across its outdoor campus.
The Music Center is also on the forefront of arts education in Los Angeles, providing arts resources to students and teachers in schools and community centers throughout the region. Approximately 500 full-time, seasonal and part-time staff members are employees of The Center and contribute to its operation and success.
The Music Center was developed as an unprecedented public-private partnership with Los Angeles County. Through the support of the Board of Supervisors, the County of Los Angeles plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center. This relationship has cemented the importance of the arts to the cultural fabric of Los Angeles
Music Center professional development focuses on arts integration in the disciplines of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts for educators in grades Pre-K through 12.
In Music Center professional development, teachers participate in transformative experiences led by a highly-trained faculty of Music Center teaching artists. Music Center teaching artists have all successfully completed the Music Center Teaching Artist Training Program, which serves as the foundation of their teaching practice and philosophy.
Working with Music Center teaching artists, educators engage in the artistic process, participating in a community of learners, and exploring how the arts can be powerful tools for integrated learning.
Educators gain a new understanding of how the arts bring learning to life in compelling ways. Through hands-on learning in creating, performing, and responding to individual and small group work, teachers increase their arts skills and knowledge. The work is ultimately centered on educators gaining deeper understanding, confidence, and facility with arts-based classroom strategies that help bring Common Core to life in creative and effective ways.