McGroarty Arts Center

The McGroarty Arts Center was founded in 1953 in the home of lawyer, writer, and politician John McGroarty. McGroarty was the Poet Laureate of California, and following his death, his home was sold to the City of Los Angeles. The home was designated a cultural monument in 1970. It was managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Cultural Affairs until 1995 when the McGroarty Arts Center became a nonprofit organization. Today, the McGroarty Arts Center works in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The McGroarty Arts Center's programs are enjoyed by more than 7,500 people each year. It offers in-depth arts instruction and experiences for at-risk youth, children, families, and individual community members. Art courses for children combine formal artistic skills with experiences to develop critical thinking and independence, while the center's adult courses encourage participants to refine their unique artistic voices. The McGroarty Arts Center also hosts performances, exhibitions, and events, offering audiences a space to engage with high-quality art and artists to showcase their own work. As a central creative and community space in Los Angeles' Foothill communities, the McGroarty Arts Center carries on the creative and impactful legacy of its namesake.