About SPACE
Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education (SPACE) is an acclaimed afterschool performing arts program serving youth ages infant through 18. SPACE, located near downtown Ukiah at 508 West Perkins, offers an innovative year-round program that has become a vital beacon for hundreds of children and their families.
Our program emphasizes diversity, youth leadership, cross-cultual arts, social issues, and exemplary training in the arts. The curriculum may address issues of social, environmental and cultural awareness.
SPACE’s mission is to empower our youth to discover and trust in their innate ability to be creative, responsible and compassionate individuals through effective training in dance, theater, music and cultural education.
SPACE in Ukiah
Racial Equity Statement
INTRODUCTION
SPACE appreciates the importance and value of all persons, no matter their color, language, culture, race or creed. We are called to stand with our communities-of-color in acknowledging the inequities experienced by many, and work to bring racial equity, justice and equality to all. We stand united in addressing the hundreds of years of systemic racism and oppression perpetrated against Black and Brown-identifying persons, Native Americans, immigrants, and all who are targeted by hatred. We understand that it will require substantial and sustained structural changes to bring about Racial Equity and SPACE is committed to utilizing our resources and creative platform to bridge the divide.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
We live in Mendocino County, California, where we have the honor and responsibility of sharing our space with the indigenous people who first named it (Ukiah, the County Seat, derives its name from the original people of its valley - the Yokaiya) and who endured great historical trauma and through great resilience still reside within their traditional homelands. These, the people of Yokayo Rancheria, Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, Guidiville Rancheria, Pinoleville Pomo Nation, Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, Redwood Valley- Little River Band of Pomo Indians, Cahto Tribe and Round Valley Indian Tribes as well as others adjoining Lake and other counties throughout California, are the foundation upon which racial equity must build.
RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT
SPACE is committed to racial equity both internally through our work environment board structure and programming. We are committed to using SPACE’s platform and our years of experience working in community to keep Racial Equity at the forefront of our planning.