Our Story: Who We Are
Founded on over five decades of music education by Lovett Hines, and carried forward in loving tribute to the arts legacy of his late wife, Carla Washington Hines — dancer, choreographer, and champion of arts education in Philadelphia. Together, they poured their lives into Philadelphia's next generation of artists. HCAI continues that work through mentorship, education, and community-centered arts programming. The Hines Creative Arts Initiative (formerly the Global Creative Arts Initiative) is an extension of music education programs developed by legendary Philadelphia music director and jazz saxophonist Lovett Hines. Based in South Philadelphia (Point Breeze), it fosters musicianship, artistic expression, community education, and intergenerational mentorships through the love language of jazz and Black contemporary music.
Our Founder, Lovett Hines
"This experience that I've had with young people, it becomes a pedagogy of itself. These musicians that I've had a chance to work with and [who] came through my tutelage are making a presence in the world. It's something that's unbelievably beautiful."
Lovett Hines, Founder, Hines Creative Arts Initiative