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Clockwise from left: Langston Hughes Center for the Visual and Performing Arts co-founders James Pappas, Allie Anderson, Clarence Scott, Hal Franklin and Wilhelmina Godfrey.

Following the formation of APS Creative Arts Center, Inc., the LHCVPA co-founders mobilized to introduce themselves to the community and establish their credibility to garner support for their inner-city arts center proposal. In addition to organizing the Six from the City exhibition, the five hosted demonstrations of their initiatives with encouragement from various local, state, and national organizations. A grant from the New York State Council on the Arts Ghetto Arts Program in 1969 enabled them to host experimental programs in drawing, painting, and graphic design for 50 inner city students. A second round of NYSCA funding allowed them to expand these pilot programs. Working closely with the Model Cities Agency, the group began to develop their concept for a permanent arts center.