In his words ... Encouraging Future Artists
I’m on the board of an organization called St. Louis Artworks, a nonprofit group that provides apprenticeships for area youth contemplating a career in the arts. Since 1995, the organization has placed more than 1,300 teens in apprentice positions with some of the region's most notable visual, literary and performing artists to work on commissioned artwork. This hands-on, real-world experience helps develop the creative thinking and business skills needed to become professional artists in the future. In addition to commissioned artwork, ArtWorks operates Boomerang Press, which sells holiday and note cards as well as provides graphic design services.
Last year alone, we were able to provide employment to 143 at-risk teens from 46 different area schools throughout the year. This year, we received 350 applications for our summer program and extended positions to 110 for the summer program alone. In addition, Boomerang Press will provide jobs to over 40 of the total 150 teens Artworks plans to hire during 2008. Interest in the program continues to grow, and we hope to be able to provide these experiences to even more local youth.
This June St. Louis ArtWorks’ Boomerang Press was selected by the RCGA as one of three organizations to represent the St. Louis region for the 2008 All-America City Award competition, which was won by St. Louis. Four student artists traveled with Mayor Francis Slay, CEOs and civic leaders to a presentation in Tampa -- only one student had ever been on an airplane before. The presence of the student artists was critical to St. Louis’ victory. While in Tampa, the student artists were granted a client interview with the community relations coordinator at Busch Gardens and came home with a commission to design holiday cards featuring the Jungala exhibit at Busch Gardens.
I applied for an employee volunteer grant to help fund these unique education and job training programs. These kids are passionate about their art and so eager to learn. Right now, we just can’t accommodate all of these artists who want to participate. Hopefully these funds will help enable St. Louis Artworks to expand, allowing more apprentice artists to work side by side with professional artists and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their career.