Paso Robles Youth Arts Center

Paso Robles Youth Arts Center offers art, dance, music, theatre, and culinary arts for ages 5 to 18. Art includes drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, and digital media. Dance includes ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and fusion dance. Music uses a variety of instruments, theatre includes stage performance, and the Justin Culinary Teaching Kitchen offers low-cost classes and life skills.

Programs

• Art — 5-18 · Offered in many mediums such as drawing, painting, collage, and mixed and digital media.
• Dance — 5-18 · Dance styles include ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, contemporary and fusion dance.
• Music — 5-18 · Students develop their unique sound through a variety of instruments.
• Theatre — 5-18 · Students get the full theatrical experience, from first steps on a stage to performing to a sold-out show in the in-house theatre.
• Culinary Arts — 5-18 · The Justin Culinary Teaching Kitchen exposes local youth to culinary arts, offering low-cost classes and life skills in an accessible environment.
• Homeschool classes — October homeschool classes are referenced; registration opens September 28.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Current session: Homeschool Registration Opens! (Sep 28–Oct 1, 2026)
• General schedule: Accessible afterschool classes; class hours may differ.
• Facility hours: Monday-Friday 2:30 pm-6:30 pm

About the provider

Paso Robles Youth Arts Center was founded in 1998. The executive director is Barby Wunsch. The center says it serves underserved youth from SLO County and surrounding areas, and that no youth is turned away. It lists its mission as “Enriching lives through the arts.”

Just $15 for an 8-week after-school arts course. At just $15.00 per class, classes are accessible for most families. No youth is turned away.

What families say

“To watch what goes on here is amazing. We have older students that tutor the younger kids with their homework. I’ve had kids walk from the high school to get here intime for their classes.” — Amanda

“My two grandkids went to Paso Robles Youth Arts Center. Now they are adults, and could hardly wait to send their two girls to the Center.” — Judy

“Having a safe place to send my son after school is a blessing. He is loving his music class and I am thankful he is able to use a guitar. Thank you, PRYA.” — Octavio

Last updated September 23, 2026.