Rachel Colón

Our mission is to nurture our community and its young people by creating, learning, and presenting art to advance equity and social justice. We envision joyful, healthy, and equitable communities shaped by imagination, creativity, and diverse voices. Three themes that have been constant throughout the Armory’s history are responding to the artistic needs of underserved children and community members; teaching artists' engagement as educators; and the exhibition of contemporary artists. An essential community asset, the Armory is one of the only arts organizations in the San Gabriel Valley to offer year-round, free arts programming. To advance cultural equity, we aim to provide engaging, quality art experiences to the lowest-income, highest-need neighborhoods in Pasadena and adjacent communities. Over 80% of our programming serves low-income or systems-impacted youth, and families. Part of what makes the Armory such a unique resource in Southern California is our hybrid model as both a learning and exhibiting institution. The Armory is neither squarely a museum nor an art school but a hybrid of both. Each informs and compliments the other: contemporary art exhibitions become the focal point for our arts education programs — highlighting the work of living artists that inspire students to make work in our studios. Conversely, our arts education methodology informs how learning happens in our exhibitions, which are always open at no cost to the public. At the center of our hybrid model are the dedicated team of Armory Teaching Artists who design and lead all class offerings. Our faculty are accomplished artists with an active studio practice who nurture their students' creative pursuits to develop a unique voice at their own pace. Armory education programs enhance social-emotional wellness, provide a powerful vehicle for self-expression, unite communities, and offer creative career pathways for youth.