In 1993, art therapist Elda Unger traveled from Malibu, California to meet with Margaret Beresford, art therapist from Phoenix, Arizona to introduce the programs of 15-year old, Malibu-based Free Arts for Abused Children. Inspired by the programs that used the creative arts to heal abused children, Margaret gathered a small group of individuals passionate about the arts, healing and children, and laid the ground work to develop Free Arts of Arizona.

Free Arts of Arizona's first paid executive director, Stephanie Small, was hired in 1994 to lead the organization and concentrate full-time efforts on its programs. Starting with a budget of $30,000, a volunteer base of 5 individuals serving 60 children, and donated office space, Stephanie transformed Free Arts of Arizona from these grassroots beginnings into a well-respected, effective organization. Today, Free Arts of Arizona employs 16-staff members, has over 350 volunteers that serve 5,300+ children each year, on a budget of $1 million.