Welcome to Big Bear Community Therapeutic Arts Center

At Big Bear Community Therapeutic Arts Center, we believe every child deserves a safe place to express themselves, feel supported, and grow with confidence. Through thoughtfully designed creative experiences, we help children navigate emotions, build resilience, and discover joy—one artwork, one moment, one connection at a time.

Our Mission

Our mission is to bring hope, healing, and connection to children who need extra support. Through the power of creativity, we help young hearts express their emotions, discover resilience, and experience joy in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

Our Vision

Our vision is to nurture generations of emotionally resilient children by weaving creativity, connection, and healing into their everyday lives—strengthening not only individuals, but families and our greater community.

Creativity as Healing

We believe creativity is a powerful pathway to emotional expression, growth, and healing. Art provides children with a voice—especially when words feel hard to find—and allows them to explore their feelings in a safe, supportive way.

Compassion

We lead with empathy, kindness, and understanding. Every child’s story is unique, and we honor their experiences by creating spaces where they feel seen, valued, and cared for.

We encourage children to discover their inner strength, confidence, and resilience. Through creative exploration and positive reinforcement, we help children build self-trust and a sense of agency that extends beyond the art room.

Empowerment

Our Approach

At Big Bear Community Therapeutic Arts Center, creativity is more than an activity—it’s a tool for connection and growth.

Our programs are:

• Child-centered and developmentally appropriate

• Trauma-informed and emotionally supportive

• Hands-on and nature-inspired, reflecting the beauty of the Big Bear community

• Designed to foster self-expression, emotional regulation, and confidence
  
  

We create calm, welcoming environments where children can explore art at their own pace, without pressure or judgment.

Who We Serve

We support children who may be:

• Experiencing emotional, social, or life challenges

• In need of additional creative or emotional outlets

• Seeking connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging
  

Our programs are built to meet children where they are and support them as they grow.

Why It Matters

When children are given safe spaces to create, they gain more than art skills—they gain tools for life. Creativity helps children process emotions, build resilience, strengthen communication, and develop healthy coping strategies that carry into adulthood.