MEDIA ADVISORY
Los Angeles, CA (April 15, 2025) — In celebration of World Art Day, KIPP SoCal Public Schools is proud to announce its 19th Annual Museum of KIPP Art (MOKA) — a powerful student art exhibition and auction on Friday, May 30 at BMO Stadium, raising funds to expand access to arts education for students from historically marginalized communities, and debuting a new award honoring local artists who uplift their communities through creativity.
- What: Museum of KIPP Art (MOKA) Showcase + Auction
- This year’s event will feature over 90 student artists from 17 KIPP SoCal schools across Los Angeles and San Diego, each exploring this year’s theme: Connections.
- Curated annually by MOKA creator and KIPP LA Prep art educator Andy Hahn, the theme Connections speaks to how we, as human beings, unite people, places, and ideas to form meaning and purpose.
- For the first time in its nearly two-decade history, MOKA will also include a community artist award presentation honoring a local creative who gives back through art. The inaugural recipient is Mike Norice, a celebrated muralist and award-winning artist from Watts. He is known for his healing and community-centered public art, including a mural at KIPP Philosophers Academy in Watts and his recent piece in Altadena titled "Heal."
- When: Friday, May 30, 2025, from 6-8:30 p.m.
- Where: BMO Stadium — 3939 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037
- Why:
- Art is a powerful form of self-expression and a cornerstone of KIPP SoCal’s commitment to educational equity and student well-being. MOKA gives students a platform to share their stories, perspectives, and talents with the broader community while celebrating the community artists who inspire them. Students share insights into their creative processes during the immersive art exhibition to engage attendees and potential bidders. All proceeds from MOKA benefit KIPP SoCal’s whole-child approach, which supports access to the arts, mental health resources, and enriching learning experiences for more than 10,000 students across Southern California.
- Visuals & Interviews:
- Inspiring student artwork on display
- Student and alumni artists available for interviews
- Community artist award presentation honoring Mike Norice
- Live art experiences
- Remarks from KIPP SoCal leaders and educators
- Community partners, families, and supporters in attendance
About KIPP SoCal Public Schools
KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a transformative network of 20 high-performing, tuition-free charter elementary and middle schools in East LA, Boyle Heights, South LA, Southeast LA, Compton, and San Diego. KIPP SoCal's award-winning schools educate students with a whole-child approach to learning and support over 10,150 students and 8,300 alumni to and through college.
KIPP SoCal Public Schools has won three National Blue Ribbon School awards, 10 California Distinguished School awards, nine U.S. News & World Report “Best Schools” across the country awards, and 11 Top LA County Public School awards.
Learn more at kippsocal.org, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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KIPP SoCal Media Relations
Contact: Stephanie Salazar
press@kippsocal.org