mission, vision
& philosophy

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide music and dance education that sparks joy,
creativity, and belonging in PreK-6th grade students in Los Angeles County, and through international partners abroad.

Partnering with schools where arts programs are limited, we ensure every child has the chance to create original work, perform, and grow through artistic expression.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every child, regardless of circumstances, receives quality arts education that strengthens memory, attention,

and problem-solving abilities.

Through early arts education, students are prepared to become innovative problem solvers and creative leaders in any career path they choose, equipped with tools that serve them for life.

Our Philosophy

Music and dance are strategic tools for holistic growth. They give children voice, bravery, and skills for emotional regulation. When joy enters the learning environment, it transforms into a space of collaboration, kindness, and creativity - sparking a sense of belonging for all students.

our values

Community values

Student-focused • Community Uplifting

Lasting Impact • Championing the Arts

We honor the backgrounds and traditions of all communities we serve, measuring our success not only by the lessons and skills we teach but by the confidence, creativity, bravery, and perseverance students carry forward in life.

Organizational values

Creativity & Growth • Collaboration

Joyful, Lifelong Learning • Expanding Opportunites

We connect teaching artists, classroom educators, and students to create vibrant learning communities in schools where students lack access to creative programs, providing training and mentorship to educators to ensure lasting impact.

history

Born in Los Angeles. Growing beyond.

Established in 2020, the Bloom Arts Foundation (BAF) was created to address the systemic absence of both early childhood arts education

and effective mental health support in Los Angeles County public elementary schools.

Growing from deep community relationships and the excellent reputation of the Bloom School of Music and Dance (founded in 2008 by BAF Executive Director Laura Porter) BAF's creates engagement opportunities for students in under-resourced communities.

Driven by the proven impact of music and dance on social, emotional, and cognitive development in young children, BAF's co-founders Laura Porter and Radhika Fliegel created a program that allows elementary students the benefits of this education during their school day.

Beginning with just 8 schools and 2 teachers in 2021, BAF has grown to include over 20 teachers, impacting 45 schools, engaging 28,000 students through its school programs.

To ensure these shifts are lasting, we also lead professional development workshops that empower classroom teachers with practical strategies to integrate music into daily routines, fostering well-being and inclusion long after our instructors leave the room.

With partnerships throughout the Pasadena, Glendale, Culver City, and Los Angeles Unified School Districts, as well as our international program, Futures in Tune, BAF's contributions to youth arts education

have been transformative - equipping a new generation with the social-emotional skills and confidence they need to thrive.