Spark Central ignites creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people TO forge the path to their best future.
OPEN HOURS
TUE – FRI: 2 PM – 7 PM
SAT: 11 AM – 3 PM
All ages welcome! We serve youth to adults in all stages of creative learning.
BECOME A MEMBER
Membership is FREE for everyone and includes access to technology, design software, virtual reality, creative kits, and more.
ATTEND A PROGRAM
Spark offers free public programs and family events that ignite creativity for all ages.
Knowing that the West Central, Spokane neighborhood has been historically under-resourced due to redlining and few city resources, we have a special focus on serving youth in West Central and its adjacent areas.
We offer neighborhood youth creative, project-based programs that publish youth voice—especially youth whose voices are not often sought out or are marginalized.
We do this via books, publications, graphic art, music, code, and more. Every youth that participates in these programs will grow in confidence, cultivate a growth mindset, and develop their future aspirations.
WHY SPARK CENTRAL
Spark Central breaks the opportunity barrier.
We believe that everyone, regardless of income, deserves access to creative learning opportunities and innovative technologies. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one-third of Spokane’s West Central residents live in poverty. Spark Central offers membership, youth programs, and community events at no charge so that everyone has the chance to explore visual and literary arts, engineering, and robotics and follow where their creativity leads.
Spark Central fills the achievement gap for low-income youth.
We often confuse giftedness with opportunity. High-income parents spend 85% more than low-income families on their children’s extracurricular enrichment. By sixth grade, youth born into poverty typically suffer a 6,000-hour learning gap. Spark Central stands in this gap with programs where youth across socioeconomic boundaries come together and learn without limitations.
Spark Central inspires tomorrow’s creative thinkers.
Schools’ high-stakes test prep comes at a steep cost to the arts and creative thinking. Many extracurricular programs are “pay-to-play,” so under-resourced youth miss out on chances to flex their creative muscles. At Spark Central, youth develop the problem-solving skills and the confidence needed for an ever-changing tomorrow.
Spark Central grows community connection.
By bringing people together for inspiring community events and creative learning activities, we invite volunteers, residents, teachers, and students to learn from and inspire one another. This community builds a sense of belonging, confidence, and ignites dialogue that benefits everyone.
POWERFUL LEARNING PROGRAMS
that inspire kids, teen, and adults
TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS
from robotics to books to software
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPACE
with no-cost membership for all
“The free classes and technology that kids of all socioeconomic levels can be exposed to here at Spark are phenomenal.”
“Since the field trip, I have seen my reluctant writers working harder on their writing assignments because they know they can do it, and many really found a new love for writing.”
“Thank you for having such a positive effect on our community, girls, my daughter and more. You empowered us all.””
