COCA — Center of Creative Arts

- 6880 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130

COCA—Center of Creative Arts, located in University City, St. Louis, Missouri, is a leading multidisciplinary community arts center and a true cornerstone of the local arts scene. Founded with a mission to enrich lives and build community through the arts, COCA offers an extensive array of programs and experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. From dance and vocal music to theatre, art, and design, the center is a vibrant space where creativity is nurtured, and talent is developed. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic synagogue with a modern expansion, COCA is not just a school but a gathering place that connects people from all walks of life. The center is a national leader in innovative arts education, serving tens of thousands of people annually with its high-quality programs and performances.

The core of COCA's philosophy is its commitment to both the artistic process and the artistic product. It provides a supportive environment for enthusiastic amateurs and a rigorous, pre-professional track for emerging artists. This dual focus ensures that everyone, regardless of their goals, can find a meaningful and transformative experience. The faculty is composed of distinguished teaching artists who bring a wealth of expertise and a passion for their craft. A key component of COCA's mission is to remove barriers and increase access to the arts for all, which it achieves through outreach programs and scholarship initiatives. The center is a vibrant and dynamic space where the arts serve as a bridge to connect people, celebrate differences, and build a more creative and inclusive St. Louis.

COCA is conveniently located at 6880 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. This address places it in the University City area, a cultural and academic hub, making it easily accessible for residents of St. Louis and the surrounding Missouri region. The center's unique campus, which includes a historic building and a modern expansion, is a destination in itself.

For patrons arriving by car, COCA provides a free parking garage located across Washington Avenue from the main building. This shared garage with Washington University offers ample parking spaces and helps alleviate the stress of finding a spot in a busy area. For added convenience, a drop-off and pick-up driveway is available at the main entrance, which is especially useful for those with mobility needs.

The Center of Creative Arts is committed to accessibility for all visitors. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. The facility also has elevators and accessible restrooms, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience for everyone. This dedication to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment is a core value of the organization, making it a great destination for people of all abilities. The combination of a central location, convenient parking, and a focus on accessibility makes visiting COCA a seamless and enjoyable experience.

COCA offers an extensive array of services across multiple artistic disciplines, catering to a wide range of interests and skill levels.

Services Offered:

• Dance classes, including a variety of styles like ballet, tap, and modern dance.
• Vocal music classes and private lessons.
• Theatre and acting classes for youth and adults.
• Art and design classes, workshops, and camps.
• Culinary Arts classes.
• Early childhood arts programs.
• Circus training.
• A variety of classes for all ages, from enthusiastic amateurs to emerging professionals.
• COCAedu, a program providing arts education in schools and community centers.
• COCAbiz, a business training program that uses arts-based methods.
• COCA presents, a signature performance season featuring thought-provoking productions.
• The Millstone Gallery, which hosts timely and relevant exhibitions from emerging and established artists.
• Summer Arts Camps for kids and teens.

The breadth of these offerings highlights COCA's position as a true multidisciplinary center. It is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to engage with the arts, whether through classes, performances, or exhibitions. The opportunity to learn from professional artists and teachers in a structured, high-quality environment is a significant benefit.

COCA distinguishes itself with a number of key features and highlights that make it a premier destination for the arts in the Missouri region.

Features / Highlights:

• Housed in a historic, architecturally significant building with a modern expansion, featuring beautiful studios and a theater.
• A nationally recognized leader in arts education.
• Offers a diverse range of programs in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.
• Provides a high-quality theater with a variety of performances for all ages.
• The Millstone Gallery offers free exhibitions to the public.
• Has a dedicated faculty of more than 250 distinguished teaching artists.
• Committed to access for all, offering scholarships and outreach programs.
• Features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a free parking garage.
• Provides spaces for parents to watch classes from outside through mirrored glass.
• Serves more than 60,000 people annually, making it one of the largest community arts centers in the country.

These highlights showcase COCA's commitment to excellence, community, and accessibility. The center's ability to provide everything from foundational classes for young children to pre-professional training and large-scale public performances makes it a comprehensive and invaluable resource for the St. Louis community.

For more information about classes, performances, or gallery exhibitions, you can contact the Center of Creative Arts directly.

Contact Information:

Address: 6880 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA

Phone: (314) 725-6555

What is worth choosing COCA—Center of Creative Arts? The most compelling reason to choose this institution is its unique position as a comprehensive, high-quality, and community-focused arts center. For people in the Missouri region, particularly those in the St. Louis area, COCA offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way. Unlike smaller studios that may specialize in a single discipline, COCA provides a one-stop-shop for dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, all under one roof. This allows families to have multiple children pursuing different artistic passions in the same location.

The center’s commitment to accessibility, both in its physical space and its programming, is a major differentiator. The availability of scholarships and outreach programs ensures that financial barriers do not prevent talent from being nurtured. Furthermore, the presence of a professional theater and a dedicated gallery means that students have the opportunity to see and be inspired by high-quality performances and exhibitions, enriching their education far beyond what is taught in a single classroom. The option for parents to watch their children from outside the studio rooms provides a great sense of comfort and involvement. While some reviews may contain negative feedback, the overwhelming sentiment from many patrons highlights a positive and supportive experience. The fact that COCA is a national leader and serves tens of thousands of people annually speaks volumes about its effectiveness and value to the community. For anyone looking for a place where creativity is celebrated and community is built, COCA is a worthwhile and transformative choice.

COCA — Center of Creative Arts

6880 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA