ArtWorks

What is ArtWorks?

ArtWorks is the only arts-based job training program for Northeast Ohio high school students that is designed to provide training in the arts while developing skills for the workplace. For several weeks each summer, ArtWorks apprentices create visual and performing art and learn workforce skills.

Through ArtWorks, students learn how to work cooperatively, professionally, and responsibly while earning a wage. The on-going interactions with professionals create mentoring relationships for the apprentices, who learn essential, 21st Century skills that are transferable to any future workplace.

For six hours a day, five days a week, ArtWorks apprentices create exciting work in theater, dance, music, photography and visual arts while learning professionalism and responsibility. In addition to creating art, apprentices host performances and exhibitions of their work that are enjoyed by the entire community, and work with their Teaching Artist to develop a professional portfolio.

Several times throughout the program, guest speakers from the business, arts, and civic community speak with the apprentices about their own careers and the various ways that arts skills and creativity are valued in business settings.

Additionally, ArtWorks provides apprentices and their parents with workshops about the college application and financial aid processes.

ArtWorks provides participants with:

• Hands-on skills in a chosen art discipline
• Valuable job training that will benefit you in any career
• Opportunities to showcase your work in public performances and exhibitions
• Access to representatives from the business, cultural and civic communities who inspire students with real stories of how the arts have made a difference in their professional and personal lives
• Resources for navigating the college admissions and financial aid processes
• A professional portfolio that can be used in future college and work applications
• Hourly pay

ArtWorks 2010 will take place under tents in University Circle and at Cuyahoga Community College's Metro Campus. Interested applicants should be available to work the full six-week period June 16-July 28 (Wade Oval) or June 23-August 5 (Tri-C), Monday through Friday from 9:30AM - 4:00PM. Some Saturdays and evenings are required for performances/exhibits. Transportation is not provided by Young Audiences; however, limited free parking may be available for artists, assistant teaching artists, and apprentices.

What People Are Saying About ArtWorks

I have seen how arts and cultural programs positively impact our community and young lives.  I give ArtWorks my unreserved support and hope to see it continue for many years to come.– Joe Cimperman, Councilman, Ward 13, City of Cleveland

By participating in ArtWorks I learned a lot about important job skills that would be helpful for future employment. The meeting with the Cleveland Scholarship Program was really helpful in learning about getting financial aid for college. My experience in ArtWorks taught me how to work well in a group in order to achieve my own personal goals. It also gave me real world experience in the work force that will be helpful for my future. It taught me important job skills, and I found the speakers to be very enriching. Most importantly, I felt like I learned a lot about the arts. Not only did I learn a lot from my own group and master teaching artist, but I felt like I learned about many other areas of the arts as well through the work of other groups. I would never have made some of the friends I have now if I and not participated in ArtWorks. I would not have had such an enjoyable summer, and I would not have all of the great memories made during my summer with Artworks if I had not participated in the program. – 11^th grade student, Shaker Heights High School

ArtWorks has helped me approach colleges with more confidence. I made connections that helped me with the application process. ArtWorks taught me responsibility. I realized that when it's time for me to get a job I'm going to have to be on time. Also my work ethic has been enhanced. I now have pride in the work I do. I work harder to make my work stand out - all due to ArtWorks. If I had not participated in ArtWorks, I would have never met and become friends with the diverse group of people that I have. I would have never thought to express myself through film. It gave me another outlet. – 12^th grade student, Cleveland School of the Arts

ArtWorks has been great, challenging, intense, and fun because we’ve had a great group of kids with all ranges of experience.  Even if they’ve not done art before, they all bring something to the program.  They’ve all risen to the challenge.   It’s been an interesting and surprising realization for the apprentices that they are not students at ArtWorks.  Now they are employees with a whole different set of expectations on them.  They have to learn a professional way of interacting and how to present their work  It’s been great to see each of them find their own way to express themselves over the six weeks.  They’ve each found their own voice.  It’s been amazing!– Carol Mitchell, ArtWorks collage instructor

Thanks to Our Generous 2009 Supporters

Corporations and Foundations

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• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
• Charter One Foundation
• The Cleveland Foundation
• Deaconess Community Foundation
• Dominion
• Gross Builders
• Hot Topic Foundation
• Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
• The Leonard Kreiger Fund of The Cleveland Foundation
• Kulas Foundation
• Meisel Family Foundation
• John P. Murphy Foundation
• Deborah and Ronald Ratner Philanthropic Fund
• Reinberger Foundation

Scholarship Donors

• Elise and Steve Auvil
• Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland
• Cleveland City Councilwoman Shari Cloud
• Marsha Dobrzynski
• Stacy and Jeffrey Halpern
• Dozie and David Herbruck
• Linda Rae and Andrew Hertz
• Karen and Doug Katz
• The Lerner Foundation
• Mansour, Gavin, Gerlack & Manos Co., L.P.A.
• Joseph Mendes
• Sally and Bud Menges
• Ginny and Bob Perkins
• Deborah Ratner
• Reading One Foundation
• Cleveland City Councilman Zachary Reed
• Katherine Solender and William Katzin
• Cleveland City Council President Martin J. Sweeney
• Staff of Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio
• John S. Zeiler

Individual Contributors

• Tom Abelson
• The First Unitarian Church of Cleveland
• Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell
• Cleveland City Councilman TJ Dow
• Matthew Gerovac
• Amy Humbert
• Cleveland City Councilman Kenneth Johnson
• Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Kelly
• James & Patsy Lombardo
• Cleveland City Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell
• Melanie and Peter Nealis
• Cleveland City Councilman Terrell Pruitt
• Robert and Margo Roth
• Marty Resnik and Sherri Appleton
• Charna Sherman and David Weiner
• Sue Starrett
• Daniel & Jennifer Tyler
• Rosemary and Harry Weltman
• Cleveland City Councilman Nate Wilkes

Program Partners

• City of Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board
• Cleveland Arts Prize
• Cleveland Botanical Gardens
• Cleveland Institute of Art
• Cleveland Museum of Art – Parade the Circle
• Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Cleveland Music School Settlement Cleveland State University Foundation
• Case Western Reserve University
• Cuyahoga Community College – Metro Campus
• Employment Opportunities
• GreenCityBlueLake
• Tower City Center
• University Circle Incorporated
• Youth Opportunities Unlimited