Creative Arts was founded in 1977/8 by a group of local parents concerned about arts in the community. Their goal was to serve elementary school children with enrichment programs, primarily in the visual arts. During the next ten years, programs were expanded to include music and adult classes. To accommodate the expansion, space was rented in a local church, creating a center for arts education. Professional staff was gradually added, and in 1988 Creative Arts became a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.

Today Creative Arts continues to be the "center for arts" in Reading and other local communities. Continuing our mission of fostering a passion for the Arts, we provide cultural services to over 500 families from thirty communities year-round. Our music program includes Suzuki Talent Education Program for violin, viola, and piano, and traditional music instruction on all band and orchestral instruments as well as voice and piano. The visual arts program features adult classes and an array of programs for children in all mediums. New classes and workshops have been added for all ages and abilities. The theatre program has also expanded, offering classes to children as young as 3 years old. Due to high demand and space needs Creative Arts holds various off-site lessons and classes at Andover’s West Parish Church, North Reading’s Union Congregational Church, and various elementary schools. During the summer, Creative Arts offers activities from art, theatre and music camps to private music lessons.

Creative Arts is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 community school of the arts. As a community school, we strive to develop the creativity and imagination of young and old students alike, and to bring the community together, making it stronger through the arts.

As our mission states, Creative Arts is dedicated to fostering a passion for the Arts by providing exceptional instruction in visual and performing arts to a diverse population of students. We do this by providing opportunites for innovative learning, performance and fun while instilling a life-long desire for creative expression. Thereby striving to inspire, enrich and connect individuals within the community.

Being part of a multi-faceted arts school brings many benefits, including exposure to multiple arts disciplines, opportunities to take lessons in multiple disciplines in a convenient and familiar space, options for siblings to express their individuality, and more.