Create Now
Create Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 in Los Angeles that provides free arts education across multiple disciplines to underserved youth ages 3-24, delivered on-site at shelters, schools, and community centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Create Now does
Create Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Jill Gurr, a former entertainment industry script supervisor, and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The organization provides free arts education programs to underserved youth ages 3-24, with a focus on those facing poverty, abuse, neglect, homelessness, and involvement in the foster or juvenile justice systems. Over its 25+ year history, Create Now has served nearly 50,000 young people across the Greater Los Angeles area.
The organization's program portfolio spans four core pillars—Arts in the Classroom, Community Events, Cultural Journeys, and Volunteer Programs—supplemented by specialized offerings including The Breakout Room (TED Talk-format career sessions), Creative Career Fair, Therapeutic Arts Programs, Digital Media Lab, Culinary Arts Workshop, and Animation Summer Camp. Programs are delivered on-site at partner locations including shelters, foster homes, LAUSD Title 1 schools, and community centers. Disciplines covered include visual arts, dance, music, theater, creative writing, digital media, fashion, and culinary arts. There is no proprietary technology platform; the core delivery model relies on volunteer professional artists and direct human instruction.
Create Now generates no fee-based revenue. All programs are provided at no cost to participants. The organization is funded through four revenue streams: individual donations, foundation grants (Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Johnny Carson Foundation, The Irene Finkelstein Foundation, Snap Foundation, Genesis Inspiration Foundation, LA2050), corporate sponsorships and in-kind contributions (Deloitte, Google, NBCUniversal/Comcast, Los Angeles Clippers, iHeart Media), and government grants (California Arts Council, LA County Department of Arts and Culture). Leadership transitioned from founder Jill Gurr to current CEO Brandon Dean Johnson, with Jill Gurr continuing as Founder. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and partners with major arts institutions including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Ballet, and Cirque du Soleil.
Create Now firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Create Now
- Legal name
- Create Now
- Website
- https://createnow.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Create Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 in Los Angeles that provides free arts education across multiple disciplines to underserved youth ages 3-24, delivered on-site at shelters, schools, and community centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Create Now industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Arts Education (Nonprofit)
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (611610)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA), Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where Create Now is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Create Now business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to the organization through one-time and recurring donations to support free arts programs for youth.
- Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations such as Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Johnny Carson Foundation, and The Irene Finkelstein Foundation support program operations and expansion.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Deloitte, Google, NBCUniversal/Comcast, and Los Angeles Clippers provide financial support and in-kind contributions.
- Government Grants: Funding from California Arts Council and LA County Department of Arts and Culture supports arts education programming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free programs for underserved youth |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Create Now product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Create Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in Los Angeles that delivers free arts education programs to underserved youth ages 3-24. The organization provides in-classroom arts instruction, community events, cultural journeys, therapeutic arts programs, and specialized workshops in digital media, culinary arts, and animation through year-round programming.
Product overview
Create Now is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of youth arts programs under four pillars: Arts in the Classroom (structured workshops in schools), Community Events (festivals, talent shows, mural projects), Cultural Journeys (field trips to cultural events), and Volunteer Programs. The organization provides arts education across disciplines including music, creative writing, performing arts, digital media, visual arts, fashion, and culinary arts. Additional programs include The Breakout Room (career-focused sessions), Creative Career Fair, Therapeutic Arts Programs, Digital Media Lab, Culinary Arts Workshop, and Animation Summer Camp. Programs serve youth ages 3-24 from shelters, foster homes, Title 1 schools, and community centers throughout Los Angeles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Power of the Arts Festival: Annual community arts festival for low-income children including foster youth and those facing homelessness
- The Breakout Room
- Arts in the Classroom
- Community Events
- Cultural Journeys
- Creative Career Fair
Products and services
- Arts in the Classroom In-school arts education program that delivers free creative instruction directly to underserved youth in classroom settings across Los Angeles.
- Community Events Public-facing arts events organized by Create Now that engage the broader community and showcase youth participants.
- Cultural Journeys Cultural field trip experiences that expose underserved youth to arts, culture, and venues outside their usual environments.
- The Breakout Room Workshop-style program within Create Now's offerings that provides a dedicated creative space for youth engagement and self-expression.
- Creative Career Fair Career fair program that introduces underserved youth to careers in creative fields and connects them with industry professionals.
- Therapeutic Arts Programs Therapeutic arts programs that use creative expression to support the mental health and emotional well-being of underserved youth.
- Digital Media Lab Hands-on workshop providing training in digital media production and creative technology tools to underserved youth.
- Culinary Arts Workshop Hands-on culinary training workshop that teaches food preparation, cooking skills, and creative culinary arts to youth participants.
- Animation Summer Camp Seasonal summer camp program that provides animation training and creative production experience to underserved youth.
- Volunteer Program Structured volunteer program engaging community members in supporting Create Now's arts education delivery for underserved youth.
Companies that use Create Now
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Create Now technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Create Now partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- California Arts CouncilcoreGovernment arts agency providing funding and support for arts education programs. Key public-sector partner supporting organizational mission.
- LA County Department of Arts and CulturecoreCounty-level arts department providing funding and programmatic support for arts education initiatives serving Los Angeles youth.
- Los Angeles PhilharmoniccoreMajor arts institution partnership for music education and performance opportunities for underserved youth.
- Los Angeles BalletcorePartnership providing dance education and exposure to ballet arts for youth participants.
- Cirque du SoleilcoreArts programming partnership providing unique circus arts experiences and mentorship for Create Now youth.
- Discovery Cube Los AngelessupportingScience and learning center partnership for educational programming complementing arts education.
- Baby2BabysupportingOrganization providing essential supplies for children in poverty, supporting Create Now families.
- Big SundaysupportingCommunity volunteer organization partner for community engagement and volunteer coordination.
- LAUSD Arts Education BranchcorePartnership with Los Angeles Unified School District for delivering arts programs in schools.
- NBCUniversal/ComcastsupportingMedia corporation providing promotional support and sponsorship.
- Los Angeles ClipperssupportingNBA team providing corporate sponsorship and community engagement support.
- iHeart MediasupportingRadio media partner including KIIS FM and KLOS stations providing promotional airtime and coverage.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Create Now competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DreamYard Project: Bronx-based nonprofit providing arts education, performance, and career pathways to underserved youth; similar program pillars (in-school, community events, career exposure) and donor-supported model.
- Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock): National nonprofit delivering free music instruction to under-resourced schools; directly comparable as a donor-funded music-education provider for low-income youth.
- artworxLA: LA nonprofit offering sequential arts mentoring to system-involved youth; Create Now lists artworxLA as a Digital Media Lab partner, confirming close programmatic alignment.
- Inner-City Arts: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing free arts education to underserved youth; most direct comparable given identical mission, geography, and beneficiary profile.
- Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: National nonprofit providing music instruments and education to underserved schools and youth; comparable funding model and arts-education-for-vulnerable-youth mission.
Regional players
- A Place Called Home: LA South Central youth-development nonprofit offering arts, education, and mentoring to at-risk young people; overlapping geography and beneficiary base, though a broader social-services remit.
- The Music Center: Los Angeles performing arts center running extensive arts-education and community engagement programs for LA youth; overlaps on arts-education delivery, though operates as a venue-based institution.
Broad incumbents
- Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit advocacy and service organization for the arts, running public-art and arts-education programs; broader portfolio but overlaps on arts-education funding and policy advocacy.
- National Guild for Community Arts Education: National membership and service organization supporting community arts-education providers; Create Now sits within its member universe and is comparable as a community-based arts-education operator.
Others
- Turnaround Arts: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts initiative bringing arts education to high-poverty schools; thematic peer working at the intersection of arts education and underserved-youth outcomes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Create Now social profiles
Digital presenceCreate Now financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Create Now leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Create Now funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Create Now M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Create Now
What does Create Now do?
Create Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in Los Angeles that delivers free arts education programs to underserved youth ages 3-24. The organization provides in-classroom arts instruction, community events, cultural journeys, therapeutic arts programs, and specialized workshops in digital media, culinary arts, and animation through year-round programming.
Is Create Now a public or private company?
Create Now is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Create Now founded?
Create Now was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Create Now based?
Create Now is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Create Now make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, corporate Sponsorships and government Grants.
Who are Create Now's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DreamYard Project, Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), artworxLA, Inner-City Arts and Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. Regional players are A Place Called Home and The Music Center. Broad incumbents are Americans for the Arts and National Guild for Community Arts Education. Turnaround Arts is listed as an others.
Does Create Now have an API?
No public API is recorded for Create Now.
What industry is Create Now in?
Create Now's product category is Youth Arts Education (Nonprofit). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAJ, Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAMAAAA, Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture). Its NAICS code is 611610 and its SIC code is 8200.