ArtWorks for Milwaukee is an arts-based employability training program for Milwaukee’s high school population, with and without disabilities, who face significant barriers to graduation and/or employment. Our programming provides youth with employability training and leverages a variety of art mediums as our method for training 21st Century soft employability skills.
Students apply for apprentice artist positions and earn a paycheck while working part-time with professional “lead artists” in the creation of art. The apprentice artists produce artwork for public installation (e.g., park benches, wall murals), performance (e.g., musical, dance, theatre), and publication (e.g., books of poetry). In addition, art work and publications are for sale to the public.
The underlying premise of ArtWorks for Milwaukee is to use the arts as a basis for job training. Participating in our programs provide apprentice artists with opportunities to learn critical 21st Century soft job skills, and allow youth to access and gain an appreciation for the arts.
Our Mission:
Provide meaningful employment and training through an apprenticeship program in the arts for Milwaukee area youth with and without disabilities.
Our Goals:
- Provide meaningful employment experiences to youth with and without disabilities, ages 14-21
- Provide a mentoring between youth with and without disabilities, and professional and established artists
- Increase public awareness of the importance of the arts and art education
- Foster cultural awareness and promote integration among students with and without disabilities
- Provide a professional art gallery and other exhibition opportunities for Apprentice work.