Creative Identity

Creative Identity's (CI) mission is to improve the quality of life and societal perceptions of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by providing therapeutic and educational interventions that cultivate personal and social responsibilities, pre-vocational skills, independence, and creative potentials.

Creative Identity (CI) was founded by music therapist and jazz guitar recording artist George J. Gilliam whose vision was to make fine arts education accessible to adults with IDD. CI has locations in Anaheim (established 1996) and Laguna Beach (established 2015) that offer year-round day program services, operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a focus on serving adults with mild to severe IDD who face economic barriers and limited access to high quality fine arts and pre-vocational education. Many of these individuals also experience difficulty navigating traditional education systems and overcoming negative societal perceptions. CI addresses these challenges through an inclusive, person-centered approach that centers on participants’ strengths and goals.

Our therapeutic music, expressive arts, and pre-vocational skill building classes offer individualized attention and support tailored to each person’s abilities and interests. The program uses an “assisted art” concept, providing gentle guidance such as hand-over-hand support when needed, which gradually fades as individuals build confidence and independence. Participants also develop transferable life skills including attention span, communication, coping strategies, social interaction, working collaboratively as well as independently, and fine motor coordination through engagement in these fine arts activities.

Community engagement is a key component in CI’s programming because it allows us to demonstrate the intrinsic worth and creative contributions of adults with IDD. We provide numerous opportunities for adults with IDD to share their talents at art exhibitions and musical performances in Orange County, CA throughout the year, which promote positive public perceptions of individuals with IDD and foster community inclusion. Participants have the opportunity to earn commissions from the sale of their artwork at these events which increases their economic opportunities.

Top Accomplishments from the Past Year:
1.) Expanded Participant Engagement: Our programs now annually serve over 65 participants, enabling increased access to our therapeutic and artistic programs.
2.) Artistic and Economic Empowerment: Participants created and sold over 100 pieces of artwork, earning substantial commissions that enhanced their economic opportunities and self-esteem.
3.) Recognition and Partnerships: We received accolades from community partners and local arts organizations for program excellence. Our collaborations facilitated participation in at least five public art exhibitions and musical performances, reaching over 1,000 community members.
4.) Funding Diversification: We successfully diversified funding sources to help ensure short-term and long-term program sustainability, which is vital for our mission’s longevity.

Top Goals for the Current Year:
1.) Increase Participant Outcomes: Aim for over 95% of participants to demonstrate measurable growth in skills, tracked through biannual progress reports.
2.) Broaden Program Reach: Expand access to our programs, targeting an increase in annual participant numbers and community engagement initiatives.
3.) Strengthen Community Ties: Enhance partnerships and community collaborations to host more public events, showcasing participants' talents and positively shaping societal perceptions of adults with IDD.
4.) Financial Growth and Stability: Secure additional funding sources to further support program expansion and improved participant experience.
5.) Promote Inclusivity: Continue fostering an inclusive community where adults with IDD are recognized for their unique contributions, thereby strengthening the fabric of society.

Establish a Financial Reserve: A reserve to sustain our programs through economic fluctuations should cover three to six months of operating expenses, which is between $300,000 and $600,000 for our $1.2M budget.

Expanded Community Engagement: Additional resources, such as corporate and organization partnerships, are needed to expand outreach efforts to change negative societal perceptions by promoting acceptance and inclusion of adults with IDD.

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to assist in classes, help organize and manage special events, and support administrative tasks such as marketing and fundraising initiatives.

Board Member Expansion: Committed board members are needed with experience in governance, leadership, donor development, and strategic planning.

Sustainable Funding Streams: Establishing long-term partnerships with corporate and individual donors and developing annual fundraising events are essential to ensure the financial sustainability of our programs.

Creative Identity serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from cities throughout Orange County, including the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Orange, Santa Ana, San Clemente, Stanton, and Westminster.

"At Creative Identity, we transform lives by providing adults with IDD the opportunity to engage deeply in the fine arts. Our programs empower adults with IDD to explore their creativity and achieve greater independence, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

What sets us apart is not just our commitment to individual growth but also our impact on the broader community. By integrating our program participants into the local art and music scene, we challenge and change negative stereotypes through showcasing their talents and contributions. Our musical performance events and art exhibitions serve as platforms for community education, revealing the conscientious, creative, and valuable roles that adults with IDD play in society.

Our dedication to fostering inclusivity and understanding is what makes Creative Identity distinctive. We invite our donors and supporters to join us in celebrating the unique abilities of adults with IDD and to witness firsthand the powerful transformations that their contributions help make possible. Together, we are enriching both lives and communities, creating a more inclusive and compassionate world."