The idea for CoachArt was conceived in 2000 when Zander Lurie was reflecting upon memories of his father, who had passed away in 1996, after a six-year battle with multiple myeloma. Dr. Arthur "Art" Lurie, a cardiac surgeon, devoted his life to the healing and wellness of his patients, and loved teaching and mentoring children. Even when he was fighting for his life during multiple bone marrow transplants, he helped fellow cancer patients in the hospital, especially children, understand and cope with their disease and treatment. Zander looked to his father's teaching skills as inspiration for and proof of the value of coaching. His own childhood was filled with positive experiences with coaches in sports, music and arts. Zander decided to create an organization that would enhance the lives of chronically ill youth by tapping into the significant resources available in a broadly defined coaching community. Zander employed the services of lifelong family friend, Leah Pomeranz Bernthal, and together they set out to make their nonprofit dream a reality. The name CoachArt honors both the person who Art Lurie was, and all of the coaches who contribute their time and energy to CoachArt's students.

CoachArt was granted status as a nonprofit organization in 2001 with the express mission of providing recreational activities to children and adolescents with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Zander and Leah dedicated the next 18 months to research and development in order to create a program that filled a critical need in the community. The concept of matching pediatric patients with coaches for free, recreational lessons, was enthusiastically embraced by healthcare professionals, chronically ill youth and their families, and the creative individuals looking to volunteer.

In 2002, CoachArt launched a pilot program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles enrolling 50 patients in arts and athletics lessons.

In 2003, CoachArt launched a fully operational program, providing 650 patients and siblings with 2,500 hours of lessons from 75 volunteer coaches. The program expanded to offer workshops inside Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the nearby Ronald McDonald House Los Angeles. In addition, CoachArt began to offer program events which took patients into the community. Throughout 2004 and 2005, CoachArt continued to grow. The organization expanded its reach to provide outpatient lessons to 1,456 children per year. In 2006, we hope to serve more than 1,500 through the outpatient coaching program, in-hospital workshops, and program events.

Each year CoachArt continues to grow and to help more and more children. Through interaction with volunteer coaches and peers, these lessons become therapy and help to promote higher self-esteem, improved physical and mental health, and increased motivation and hope for the children we serve.