The Art Box Academy

Above Lauren Dennis-Perelmuter, Sedona Riley, Christina Laybon, Jenna Wahba, Haru Hui

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The Art Box Academy is a learning company that provides classroom-ready art kits, deluxe art activity boxes, campus programs and special events for school districts, classrooms, children’s hospitals, resorts and families. Founder Lauren Dennis-Perelmuter launched Art To Grow On Children’s Art Center in 2000 and for 20 years reached tens of thousands of students with arts education programs. When the pandemic closed schools and camps, Lauren and her team designed a new model to ensure children had opportunities to be creative while at home—and The Art Box Academy was established in 2020.

What is the mission of your organization?

Our mission is to give children the support, encouragement and inspiration—what we call “the knowing”—that they are infinite creators, and to help them build that creative confidence no matter what they are doing. We aim to help them think broadly, compassionately and creatively. There is tremendous joy involved in the act of creating, and we want to show them that being a creative human being is an essential life skill. And you can have a lot of fun along the way!

Describe the unique characteristics of The Art Box Academy.

Several characteristics make The Art Box Academy unique. Our success is extremely tied to our phenomenal creative team—a passionate group of educators, curriculum specialists, artists and business leaders dedicated to giving children opportunities to be optimal thinkers and creative human beings. An additional contributor to our success and growth is our customized curriculum, which introduces architecture, Impressionism, STEAM, modern art and sculpture to children, teens and adults. 

Tell us about your partnerships with local organizations.

I serve on the executive board of Walk With Sally, and we also work with many amazing partners, organizations, hospitals, school districts and private schools. In the last few months, we were awarded the Excellence in Business Award by the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce and the David Chow Humanitarian Award by the David Chow Foundation for our work with pediatric hospital partners.

Photographed by Fabien & Laura Castro