Finding Yourself Through Art: Frank Gehry’s Legacy in Schools

More than a decade ago, Frank Gehry’s founding vision for Turnaround Arts California was simple: that every student should have access to the arts in school. Frank has long championed the belief that the arts are essential to human growth and expression–the arts empower us to express who we are, celebrate what makes each of us unique, and contribute positively to our communities.

“Your best work is an expression of yourself.”
— Frank Gehry

Fast forward ten years, Turnaround Arts California has partnered with 36 public schools in underserved communities, to extend opportunities for expression, learning and growth for over 2,100 teachers and over 36,000 students.

In a 2024 survey of 700 students at our Turnaround Arts partner schools, students reported that the arts help to foster their calm, resilience, confidence, and self-discovery. One 8th grader captured this perfectly:

“What I learned about myself doing the arts is that mistakes are just a way of growth.”

The arts provide safe opportunities to take creative risks, to experiment and solve problems with more than one right answer, to learn more about one’s self and others, and to collaborate with peers and teachers—whether it’s through mixing paint to find the perfect shade, mastering a new instrument, or preparing to act in a play.

“The reason I’m interested in bringing arts to younger generations is because with the arts, nobody can tell you what to do. You make something, you draw something—it comes from inside you, from your own personality. It’s like your signature; it’s unique to each person.”
-Frank Gehry

Throughout Turnaround Arts California’s history, Frank has visited partner schools to share his own creative process with students and to invite them into the practice of architecture and design. One such student, Terresa, from longtime Turnaround Arts partner school, Hoopa Valley Elementary in Humboldt County, reflected on her experience of the arts being integrated into her education:

“I found the inspiration and confidence to pursue my dreams.”

Isn’t that what every student deserves?

See Frank in action with students at Ellen Ochoa Learning Center in Cudahy: