East Bay Center for the Performing Arts

East Bay Center for the Performing Arts an arts education provider located in the City of Richmond's Iron Triangle neighborhood. It offers year-round curriculum for youth ages 3 to 18, including 65 weekly group courses, private instruction, recitals, social and emotional support services for students and families, and an intensive young artist diploma program. Its in-school and after-school education programs reach 4,000 students in West Contra Costa Unified School District. Each year, the organization also reaches another 15,000 people through community events and public performances that reflect a broad array of art forms, and often feature the stories of local students, families, and communities. Support for East Bay Center for the Performing Arts advances the Performing Arts Program's Youth strategy through the Program Delivery substrategy.

In recognition of the Hewlett Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions initiative supports the creation and premiere of 50 exceptional works of performing arts. This grant will support the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in commissioning, developing, and presenting “Hogbetsotso — Day of Crossing Over,” a work by choreographer and drummer C.K. Ladzekpo. The work will reenact the Anlo-Ewe people’s historic flight from servitude in Togo, and ultimately from European coastal raiders, to freedom in Ghana. The performance will include dance, music, regalia, and ceremonies for the renewal of justice.