About Us

The Art of Elysium was founded in 1997 to support artists working for the benefit of others.

For twenty-eight years, we’ve paired volunteer artists with communities in Los Angeles to support individuals in the midst of difficult emotional life challenges like illness, hospitalization, displacement, confinement, and/or crisis. We serve medically fragile children, teens, adults, seniors, those dealing with social, emotional and mental health issues, and the homeless.

Our team members at The Art of Elysium work with volunteer artists to craft creative, tailor-made programs for the populations we serve. We currently offer 110 community programs a month, serving over 30,000 individuals a year. Volunteer artists are then eligible for support services, ranging from artist salons and networking events to showcases and distribution opportunities. We currently serve 2,510 artists a year in Los Angeles.

A cartoon magic wand with a star at the tip, surrounded by small sparkles.

Artists volunteer. We support our artists. Through service, our creative communities thrive.

A young girl in a hospital bed, surrounded by The Art of Elysium volunteers, is celebrating her birthday, colorful decorations, and craft supplies around her. She is smiling and holding a small object, with a unicorn stuffed animal nearby.

“I believe in the power of creativity. It can transform a hospital room into a totally different world, a new reality outside the confines of an illness. Our imaginations unlock the healing power of art. Artists help the communities we serve access the innate creativity within.”

— Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium

Four hands stacked together, each wearing colorful bracelets, on a wooden surface.

Volunteer today!

Explore programs

Communities We Serve.

The Art of Elysium pairs volunteer artists with fragile communities in Los Angeles motivated by a belief that artistic practice in the context of public service is a powerful catalyst for social change. Volunteer artists deliver tailor-made programs at hospitals, community centers, senior-care facilities, schools and homeless shelters.

    • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

    • LAC USC Medical Center

    • Kaiser Permanente, Sunset-Pediatrics

    • Shriner’s Hospital for Children Los Angeles

    • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    • Totally Kids Specialty Healthcare

    • All Saint’s Healthcare Center

    • City of Hope

    • UCLA Santa Monica

    • James J. McBride Special Education Center

    • Irving Middle School

    • Northpoint School and Intensive Outpatient Program

    • Braille Institute Los Angeles

    • Miller Career and Transition Center

    • Widney Career Preparatory and Transition Center

    • All Saint’s Healthcare Center

    • UCLA Santa Monica

    • Israel Levin Center, JFS LA

    • Glenridge Center

    • West Hollywood Senior Center, JFS LA

    • Freda Mohr Senior Center, JFS LA

    • Adda and Paul Safran Senior Housing, JFS LA

    • Oasis Senior Center

    • Valley Storefront Senior Center, JFS LA

    • Oakwood Recreational Center, JFS LA

    • Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row

    • A Community of Friends- Brandon House

    • A Community of Friends- Vista Nueva

    • A Community of Friends

    • LA Family Housing in North Hollywood

    • LA Bridge Housing in North Hollywood

    • LA Fiesta Housing in North Hollywood

    • LA Family Housing in Boyle Heights

    • LA Family Housing in Pacoima

    • Penny Lane Center

    • Venice Community Center/ Youth Build

    • Mendez High School

    • The Epilepsy Foundation

    • Grossman Burn Center

    • We Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation California Chapter

    • Hemophilia Foundation

    • Hope, Steps and a Cure Foundation

    • Biliary Atresia Foundation

    • RETT Syndrome Foundation

    • Larger Than Life

    • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

    • Juvenile Arthritis

    • CATCH... Center for Achievement of Teens and Children with Hand Differences

    • NICU...with UCLA Westwood

    • USC Kid’s Health Fair

    • Smith-Magenis Syndrome

    • Revitalizing Minds

    • Cancer Support Community Los Angeles

Meet the Team

  • Jennifer Howell, the founder of The Art of Elysium, standing in front of a Disney-themed mural featuring Snow White and other characters.

    Jennifer Howell

    FOUNDER

  • A woman with dark curly hair, wearing sunglasses and a white t-shirt, sitting on a beige armchair, holding a young girl with curly brown hair, wearing a pink polka-dot dress, smiling in a living room with a window, purple flowers, framed photo, and various electronic objects in the background.

    Leslie Culp

    Vice President of Programs

  • A woman and a man dressed in formal attire, standing together and smiling at an event with a backdrop that has logos reading 'Elysium Bandini Studios' and 'The Art of Elysium'.

    Anna Rogers

    Chief Operations Officer

  • Smiling woman with wavy dark hair in front of a red, black, and white painted circular pattern.

    Maureen Lee

    Development

  • A young woman with long, wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling at the camera, wearing a navy blue and red striped shirt, standing against a light blue background.

    Stefanie Estes

    Programs
    Film & Theater Director

  • A smiling man with long wavy brown hair, a beard, and hazel eyes wearing a blue plaid shirt.

    Daniel Hall

    Programs
    Music & Theater Director

  • Woman with short blond hair smiling, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, sitting in front of an abstract blue, white, and green painting.

    Krista Machovina

    Programs
    Visual Arts Director

  • A young woman with long dark hair, wearing large tortoiseshell glasses, earrings, and a sleeveless brown top, smiling at the camera against a textured gray background.

    Hope Hui Hui Mothersbaugh

    Programs
    Self-Esteem Director

Press Inquiries

CONTACT: INFO@THEARTOFELYSIUM.ORG

    • Studio Number One for Elysium Bandini, HOW Design Award

    • Noble Humanitarian Award

    • Walter Littlefield Award: Jennifer Howell (Emerson College)

    • 2008 Arts & Culture Award, Obama Call to Arts Initiative

    • The Hollywood Reporter Angel Awards

    • Young Hollywood, Everyday Hero Award

    • Variety Power of Women Award

    • L.A.'s Most Inspiring Women, Jennifer Howell, Los Angeles Magazine

    • Voted Best Arts & Culture Charity, Los Angeles

    • 2018 Webby: People's Voice Award, Obey Giant

    • Nashville Film Festival: Women in Film and TV Award, Yosemite

    • Durban Film Festival: Best First Feature, The Dynamiter

    • Deauville Film Festival: Jury Prize, The Dynamiter

    • Nashville Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, The Dynamiter

    • Cinequest Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Actors Anonymous

    • Newport Beach Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Actors Anonymous

    • Los Angeles Film Festival 2017: World Festival Premiere, Don't Come Back from the Moon

    • Los Angeles Film Festival 2017: Special Mention for Directing, Don't Come Back from the Moon

    • Cinequest Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Metamorphosis: Junior Year

    • Mill Valley Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Metamorphosis: Junior Year

    • Lone Star Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Metamorphosis: Junior Year

    • Riverbend Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Tenn

    • Austin Film Festival 2017: Official Selection, Tenn

Awards & Recognition

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS OF THE BOARD
Tim Headington

Independent Voting Board Members
Current Term 2021-2024

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Kelsey Lee Offield

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Jennifer Howell

Justin Bartha
Ken Coelho, Finance Chair
Justin Kassan
Nick Lebherz
Matthew Meza
Ragan O'Reilly, Program Chair


ADVISORY BOARD
Sarah Adolphson
Negin Bassam
Maggie Guerin
Bill Harrison
Linda Noyer
Sean Shim-Boyle
 

*All Board Meeting Minutes on File and Available Upon Request

*Whistleblower Policy

*Donor Privacy Policy

CONSULTING AGENCIES

CREATIVE DIRECTION
Shepard & Amanda Fairey
Studio Number One

CURATORIAL CONSULTANTS
Eli Consilvio

FINANCE
Donohoe & Associates
Gerber & Co

LEGAL
Mayer Brown
Jayesh Patel, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Marcel Pariseau, True Public Relations
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis

Financials

See our Reporting Below