Our Story
Our Mission
Ryman Arts transforms lives by creating access and opportunity for a diverse community of young artists through rigorous education in fundamental art skills and mentoring.
The Founding of Ryman Arts
Stewarding the Legacy of Herbert D. Ryman (1910-1989)
Herb Ryman encouraged young artists throughout his long career as an artist, designer, and Imagineer at Walt Disney Studios. After his death, his friends and family established Ryman Arts in 1989 to carry on his philosophy of teaching foundation skills of drawing and painting, and commitment to encouraging young artists to reach their full potential.
Ryman Arts is processing Herb Ryman’s extensive archive of photographs, documents, and artifacts from his career as a painter and concept designer for films and theme parks. We aim to preserve his creative process and make the archives and artwork collection accessible to scholars and the public. Herb cared deeply about the education of artists and is an integral link to Disney’s artistic heritage. We hope his art will continue to delight and inspire others.
Founders
Lucille Ryman Carroll (1906-2002)
Sharon Disney Lund (1936-1993)
Anne Shaw Price (1923-2012)
Harrison A. Price (1921-2010)
Leah R. Sklar
Martin A. Sklar (1934-2017)
Our Program
Ryman Arts classes are led by professional artists, with support from Teaching Assistants—all of whom are program alumni.
Each class meets on weekends for 3½ hours and includes 5–7 hours of weekly homework. Students can choose to attend at either Otis College of Art & Design or California State University, Fullerton, where the same curriculum is offered.
Admission is highly competitive and based solely on merit. With small class sizes, we provide personalized instruction, ensuring every student receives the same high-quality experience tailored to their needs. Beyond the classroom, students have access to college and career programming, including mentorship, portfolio development, college application guidance, and connections to creative industry professionals, helping them navigate their future pathways in the arts.
Who Are Our Students?
Since 1990, Ryman Arts has engaged over 41,000 Southern California young artists in our core program and outreach activities to students in underserved communities. Over 95% of Ryman Arts graduates go on to college, many alumni work in the creative industries, and all are poised for personal success.
This vibrant community of culturally diverse teens comes from more than 190 zip codes across five counties in Southern California. More than 80 percent live in low-income neighborhoods where schools provide little access to art and dropout rates are high.
By supporting Ryman Arts, you are investing in the future to ensure a thriving creative economy in Southern California!