Core Principles

Esperanza’s Arts Program rests on four core principles:

• Creation in a judgment-free environment. Our artists are empowered to use art as a means of self-expression and self-discovery, free from criticism.

• Independent decision-making. Aspects of the creative process, such as the selection of a subject or the right paint, provide opportunities for our artists to make independent decisions.
• Inclusion. The creation and exhibition of art in galleries or at events helps facilitate greater community inclusion for our participants and students.
• Self-purpose. The process of creating art and sharing it with the public allows our students and participants to develop a sense of self-purpose and direction. This also reaffirms to family and the wider community the valuable role that individuals with developmental disabilities play in our community.