Incubated in 2019, Soul Space is a project led by local San Francisco artist, Cybille Leinani Irissou. Soul Space strives to address the lack of art programs in schools by offering completely free afterschool art classes to underserved elementary students and refugees.

Art is an essential part of one’s education, yet many students do not have access to art programs at school. In light of the current pandemic, school districts face even further budget cuts affecting all programs, including the arts. Art has a myriad of benefits, such as improving memory and concentration, developing critical thinking skills, and encouraging focus and discipline----to name a few! It is also a powerful way for one to self-express, which may be more important during these trying times now than ever before. The project, Soul Space, offers free art classes to students in the 3-5th grade, with materials included. 

As recently as March 2019, the SFUSD considered cutting $2.3 million dollars of funding for the Visual and Performing Arts program (VAPA) to redirect it toward hiring full-time PE teachers.  The undeniable impact of Covid means even deeper budget cuts with an anticipated deficit of $82.3 million, up from $40 million.

The San Francisco Unified School District may not have a lot of options nowadays in light of today’s public health issues, but it is critical we recognize that cutting funding in the arts education is a disservice to its students. Not only does art increase student school attendance but it also helps students succeed in both the short term and long term. 

Students who enroll in art classes often find themselves within a creative outlet that allows them to gain introspective and innovative learning strategies that are crucial to becoming successful entrepreneurs and future global leaders.

This issue is not a local one. Art is cut throughout programs in schools around the world----if it is even offered at all. In the Summer of 2022, Soul Space expanded its program and curriculum to a new branch of the program in Seoul, Korea, offering our services to refugee children with little to no access to art programs.