Teaching children and their families about health and literacy through art is how Agape Children’s Museum has served the greater Long Beach community for the past 15 years.
The Long Beach family-based nonprofit organization provides intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development opportunities for children and their families through different programs, ranging from art education festivals to family health events.
Since its inception in 2011, the traveling museum has impacted the lives of thousands of children and families through hands-on learning activities at several locations across Long Beach and the South Bay area, according to its website. Its mission continues to be able to provide a hands-on learning environment that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and families.
Agape Children’s Museum will be hosting its 11th annual Art is Education Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The museum’s mission is to provide a hands-on learning environment that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and their families in Long Beach and across the South Bay area. (Photo courtesy of Agape Children’s Museum)
Agape Children’s Museum will be hosting its 11th annual Art is Education Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The museum’s mission is to provide a hands-on learning environment that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and their families in Long Beach and across the South Bay area. (Photo courtesy of Agape Children’s Museum)
Agape Children’s Museum will be hosting its 11th annual Art is Education Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The museum’s mission is to provide a hands-on learning environment that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and their families in Long Beach and across the South Bay area. (Photo courtesy of Agape Children’s Museum)
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Agape Children’s Museum will be hosting its 11th annual Art is Education Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The museum’s mission is to provide a hands-on learning environment that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and their families in Long Beach and across the South Bay area. (Photo courtesy of Agape Children’s Museum)
“Most, if not all, of the things that we do are art-based, and then either there is a literacy component, or a health component, or all three,” Vaughn Pitts, founder and CEO of Agape Children’s Museum, said in an interview. “With the dwindling of budgets for art, it’s very important that kids are able to express themselves through art.”
The museum offers a wide variety of programs, including hands-on exhibits, open studios, art birthday parties, art summer camps, and more. Museum artists and staff lead programming in nearby schools, libraries, community pop-ups and afterschool sites through its Community Cares Programs, according to its website.
All museum programming is accessible to all children and their families, Pitts said, and provides creative learning opportunities regardless of means or ability, and includes programs for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, children with disabilities, and children in housing communities and Title 1 schools.
“They learn about themselves, they learn that all things are possible,” Pitts said, “and they learn about historical things through art too.”
One of the events that the Agape Children’s Museum hosts annually is its Art in Education Festival, which will get underway this weekend.
This year’s Art in Education Festival will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ability First Education Center, 3770 E. Willow St.
The free event is in its 11th year, and strives to bring families and communities together through the power of cultural awareness, art and learning, organizers said.
“The uniqueness of it is that we have nearly 15 to 20 different art stations for the kids and the entire family,” Pitts said. “From painting, sculpture, marble art, and more.”
Besides an abundance of art, children and their families will also be able to learn about music and other forms of performing arts, such as watching a performance of folklorico dance. Attendees will also be able to participate in a giveaway and explore other interactive activities.
Agape Children’s Museum and Pitts encourages children and families from Long Beach and surrounding areas to participate and enjoy a day creating art.
“We let the kids just let their creativity flow, whatever is on their heart or mind, we tell them to go for it,” he said. “They come, draw, make a masterpiece, and take it home with them.”
If families are unable to attend Saturday’s event, Agape Children’s Museum hosts different events throughout the year as well. For upcoming events, visit agapechildrensmuseum.org.
Community members can also help support the traveling museum’s mission by donating or volunteering at future community events and outreach programs by signing up online.