Creative expression is a human right. Creativity Explored offers access to that human right.

Creativity Explored (CE) is a progressive nonprofit art studio and gallery that partners with developmentally disabled artists. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, Creativity Explored was founded in 1983 by Florence Ludins Katz, an artist, and Elias Katz, a psychologist. Motivated by the nationwide deinstitutionalization of disabled people and the belief that art is essential to life, the duo launched a movement in the Bay Area that continues to expand what it means to be a professional artist today.

Artists at Creativity Explored use art to communicate.  They translate their feelings, emotions, experiences, and opinions into visual forms. Mentored and trained by a diverse team of teaching artists, everyone who comes to the studio has an opportunity to discover their artistic calling, develop a creative practice, and build an artistic career.

We work from a philosophy of person-centered thinking (PCT) to support the creative vision of over 130 developmentally disabled artists. By centering the personhood, culture, and lived experiences of disabled individuals in guiding the services and support they receive, Creativity Explored changes lives and opens doors.

The practices of CE artists range from traditional media like painting, drawing, and printmaking; through multimedia sculpture, ceramics, fiber arts, embroidery, and fashion; to digital artmaking, animations, and photography. All are undertaken with high-quality supplies and materials. Our programs continue to expand, meeting the needs of our community and responding to the field of contemporary art.

The reach of these artists extends far beyond their studio practices. Over the years, Creativity Explored has facilitated the careers of several hundred disabled artists in their chosen mediums, helping them exhibit their work in museums, galleries, and art fairs in more than fourteen countries. Artists have developed meaningful art careers and have become recognized for their contributions to the contemporary art world. Collectively, these artists have earned over two million dollars from their work via art sales, licensing royalties, workshops, and speaking opportunities.

Our robust arts and exhibitions program includes professional representation for every participant. Creativity Explored facilitates art sales with individual collectors and businesses and coordinates external exhibitions and experiences for artists to influence society at large through their creativity. We are proud to collaborate with corporate, art world, and community partners to share the work and amplify the voices and stories of our artists. The Creativity Explored gallery invites the public to enjoy five exhibitions annually, many curated by the artists themselves alongside art world influencers.

Creativity Explored envisions a future society with an enlightened understanding of its relationship with neurodiverse people. In a tumultuous political and social climate, the voices of artists “on the margin” continue to provide unique perspectives and insight into navigating the tensions of race, class, nationality, and personal identity. Artists, like those working at Creativity Explored, impact larger issues. It is in their nature to reflect, comment, draw, paint, and provoke – often leading to societal change.

Today the biggest transformation disabled artists are making is on the art world itself. Attempts to categorize artists who do not strictly adhere to the conventional dictates of the art classification are no longer necessary or relevant. As a result, Creativity Explored artists are now recognized for their artistic achievements versus their diagnoses. Does this sound revolutionary? That’s because it is. "Art is Art introduction essay by Ann Kappes"

Daniel Green standing next to his artwork in Get In the Game at SFMOMA. 

Art is Art

Creativity Explored celebrates its 40th anniversary with a collection of powerful artwork and perspectives from its talented neurodiverse artists.

This vibrant book uplifts the voices of the artists of Creativity Explored, a nonprofit that gives people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to express themselves through art and share their work with audiences from their local community and in the contemporary art world.

Featuring hundreds of original paintings, drawings, illustrations, and sculptures-as well as quotes from and stories about the artists-this curated collection invites readers to examine and challenge their perceptions about disability. Some artworks are humorous and blunt, while others are affecting and abstract, speaking to the artistic community's diversity and creativity. This book offers an engaging introduction to person-centered thinking for art lovers or anyone interested in learning about disability justice in a visual way.