Bob Bates has been a professional artist for over fifty years and has taught art throughout the country, including at the University of Miami in Florida. While working with kids on Skid Row in Los Angeles, Bob had a spiritual vision: to create an art space where at-risk children could explore their creativity, learn and grow. Joining forces with businessman and entrepreneur Irv Jaeger, Bob realized his vision when Inner-City Arts opened its doors to 60 children in 1989. As Inner-City Arts Artistic Director, Bob still brings vision, passion and dedication to his work with children, teachers and families, and is regularly invited to lead workshops in Los Angeles, throughout the country and internationally. Bob's creative journey as an artist, musician, inventor and educator is ongoing. His love of creativity is deeply linked to the mystery of life itself, and has guided him in all aspects of his explorations and interactions with children, teenagers and adults. Bob received a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and a MFA from the University of Cincinnati.