Our Background
By the turn of the century, the property that now houses The Creative Center had seen better days. Once busy with a plating works plant, an icehouse, a barn, and warehouses, it had been worn down by decades of hard use. Most people saw a rundown complex that should probably be torn down. Visionary founder Vi Ginsburg saw something entirely different: a vibrant arts education center where creativity could transform lives. She believed that involvement in the arts is essential to the psychological and physical well‑being of society, especially for people with developmental disabilities, and that this work would benefit the whole community.
That vision began to take root in November 1977, when the Visalia City Council voted to lease the old Plating Works building to The Creative Center for just $1.00 a year—a symbolic rate that remained unchanged until the property was finally purchased in 2023. This extraordinary act of civic generosity made it possible for The Creative Center to grow into what it is today. The lease required $15,000 in improvements every five years, but the organization consistently exceeded that benchmark, period after period. Through dedicated fundraising by the Board of Directors and staff—and, beginning in 1999, by The Creative Center Foundation—major capital improvements reshaped the once‑forgotten industrial site into a welcoming, fully functioning home for inclusive arts.
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Founded in 1999 to safeguard this legacy, The Creative Center Foundation continues that mission today by focusing on the capital improvements that keep the campus safe, accessible, and inspiring. Through year‑round fundraising events, grants, and community support, the Foundation funds critical upgrades like accessibility renovations, building repairs, technology improvements, and safety enhancements. In doing so, it ensures that The Creative Center’s artists have the spaces, equipment, and environment they need to create, perform, and grow—now and for generations to come.
Building Creativity,
One Project at a Time
Every capital project we complete turns an aging industrial site into a vibrant, accessible home for adults with developmental disabilities to create, belong, and shine
Timeline of Capital Projects
2001 - 2004: Laying the Groundwork
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Installed HVAC to keep studios and classrooms comfortable in every season, making long days of art and rehearsal possible.
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Added a patio, picnic area, and drinking fountain so clients and guests could gather outdoors, share meals, and celebrate shows together.
2005 - 2007: making the Campus Welcoming
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Refreshed vehicles with maintenance and new paint, ensuring artists could travel to performances, exhibits, and community outings with pride.
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Upgraded internet, network, and signage, cleaned up the grounds, and added gallery chairs so visitors and artists enjoy a clear, comfortable experience on site.
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Moved the Life Skills Classroom to the campus and purchased the Dodge Caravan, bringing more services and transportation directly to the people who need them.
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Installed new gallery flooring and hosted the 30th Anniversary Celebration, honoring decades of creativity while improving the space where art is shown.
2009 - 2014: Opening Access to Learning and Safety
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Funded computers and a refreshed computer room, giving clients new tools to learn, communicate, and explore digital creativity.
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Built new exterior fencing and later upgraded parking lot paving, resealing, and striping, creating a safer, smoother arrival for clients, caregivers, and visitors.
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Purchased a 2012 Ford van to expand transportation, helping more artists get to programs and share their talents with the community.
2016 - 2020: Refreshing Spaces and Air
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Painted the exterior of buildings so the campus looks as bright and creative as the work happening inside.
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Replaced a failed AC unit in the Jon Ginsburg Gallery and invested in APCO‑X air treatment systems for multiple units, improving comfort and air quality for everyone who steps onto campus.​
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Funded the installation of eight automatic doors, providing better access to the John Ginsburg Gallery and classrooms for clients in wheelchairs and individuals who find it challenging to open heavy doors.
2022 - 2024: Protecting, Owning, and Expanding Home
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Invested in the first phase of rod iron fence expansion, adding safety and additional usable space around the facility.
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Officially purchased the portion of the property that houses The Creative Center, securing a permanent home for inclusive arts.
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Completed phase two of the fence project with new locks, and installed ​
2025 -2026: Opening Doors to Accessibility
We are updating and renovating The Creative Center bathrooms so they are fully accessible, comfortable, and dignified for every artist who walks through our doors.
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Phase One of the bathroom project is complete - making the art studio classroom bathrooms safer and fully accessible.
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The Jon Ginsburg Gallery now features newly installed double-paned windows, allowing natural light to beautifully illuminate the artwork and artists. These windows enhance temperature control while maintaining the historical building’s original framework aesthetic.
Your Part in the Next Chapter
Every donation to the Creative Center Foundation is more than bricks and paint—it is an investment in belonging, independence, and joy for adults with developmental disabilities.
When you give today, you help write the next line in this timeline: safer studios, more accessible spaces, and a creative campus that will keep changing lives for generations to come.
