Community Programs

ART 180 Community Programs bring art to young people in challenging circumstances through partnerships with elementary and middle schools and youth organizations. We offer enrichment opportunities that would otherwise not be available; they offer the support of counselors, staff, and knowledge that comes from years of experience working with the children we serve.

Community-Based Programs

ART 180 Summer 2020 Community Programs - all summer programs are online via Zoom. 
Please click here for registration

Signs for Today - a program for rising 6th to 8th graders
Tuesdays, 3:00 - 4:15 pm, July 7 though August 11
Leader: Dee Robertson; Assistant: Geovanny Mejia
Description: We will explore approaches to sign-making and the value of communicating to the outside world through handmade signs. Through creative activities young people will discuss examples of signs, topics, and concerns they want to communicate to the world around them. Each week participants will learn a new sign-making technique using collage, positive and negative space, logo-making, lettering, stencils, and type. 

Getting Dressed for Everywhere and Nowhere - a program for rising 6th to 8th graders
Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, July 9 though August 13
Leader: Jon Copeland; Assistant: Cloey Hagins
Description: Although COVID-19 has largely confined us to our homes, we can still dress up like we're going somewhere! This program will explore the world of fashion without leaving our homes. Imagining and examining places we want to go, participants will visit their own closets and create looks / wearable garments to take on make believe travels. We will discuss destinations to visit and take photos / selfies of looks we are able to construct from our closets or looks we find online. By the end of the program we will create a fun virtual scrapbook detailing all of our looks from our various imaginary travels.

Stitched Stories: Embroidery and t-shirt design - a program for rising 6th to 8th graders in partnership with NextUp
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00 - 4:00 pm, June 30 through July 30
Leader: Nastassja Swift; Assistant: RaJahne Harris
Description: At a time when the voices of the unheard need to be amplified, your stories are important. Participants will learn the art of embroidery to create their own threaded t-shirt design. We will cover the use of symbolism and imagery as a way of storytelling and the power of pairing those elements with garments to be worn. Participants will learn basic embroidery stitches including back stitch, running stitch, stem stitch, and more.

Picture Books of Resilience -  an ART 180 partnership with Peter Paul Development Center
Mondays, 2:15 - 3:30 pm, July 8 through August 12
Leaders: Alex Cortes and Courtney Stubbs
Description: Through creative story telling, collage, and drawing, participants will write, illustrate, and construct a unique picture book reflecting the theme of resilience. Participants will use paper, pencil, and glue to create a book and tell stories about how they are finding space to create and connect from home.

Building Beats - an ART 180 partnership with the Boys & Girls Club at MLK
Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, July 15 through August 5
Leader: John Gammon
Description: Building Beats explores how rhythm and community care are connected through drumming. Each individual will be able to express who they are through group discussions, virtual drum circles, and visual art activities. Participants will be able to create their own beats on household & homemade items, and the entire group will piece together a collection of rhythms that highlights the interplay of each student in a collabortation with the class community. Drawing activities will be included.
 

We Believe in Young People

Each young person is a valuable part of our community. We promise to offer a supportive and nurturing environment, which allows our young people an opportunity to bring into being the beauty that exists within their creative spirits.

We Believe in Creative Expression

Everyone will be free to be an artist who can give birth to a masterpiece, because we recognize that innovation is the heartbeat of growth.

We Believe in Communication

We seek to provoke ideas and stimulate conversation that encourages self-awareness and expression of diverse perspectives, remove barriers of fear, create a better understanding of humanity, and illuminate hope.

We Believe in Compassion

We advocate kindness to heal division and resolve conflicts, because everyone has a right to be heard, to experience love, and to be treated with dignity and mutual respect.

We Believe in Community

We value the importance of collaborative relationships, which celebrate diversity. We recognize that by sharing together we're capable of making even greater creative contributions that can enhance the well-being and quality of life for the whole.

We Believe in Change

We embrace change as a gift that empowers young people to transform our world through creative expression. It provides opportunities to be passionately engaged in a natural process of learning, challenging complacency and discovering opportunities to live a meaningful life.