Creating a Future
/This summer COMPAS’ ArtsWork program has partnered with Face to Face – an organization that provides health care, counseling, and programs for homeless youth – to provide arts employment for low income and/or high risk youth.
ArtsWork is a supportive work environment where apprentices create public art, learn employment skills, build community, have leadership opportunities— and earn a paycheck!
Our 24 Apprentices are creating two separate large-scale murals that will be installed in St. Paul’s North End over the next 2 years. Wave to us this summer when you go under the railroad bridge that crosses Maryland Avenue just east of Dale Street. Next summer you can watch us work as we install a paint and mosaic mural at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary.
Working with aerosol artist Katrina Knutson or mosaic artist Sharra Frank, youth are building artistic and employment skills that will carry them into future careers… whatever they may be.
We know that our ArtsWork apprentices leave our program better prepared to make a positive impact on their community, and the research backs us up. Studies show that artistic experiences in adolescence—especially for youth considered “at-risk” due to socioeconomic or cultural factors—lead to youth who are more educated and engaged in their communities.
Our summer so far has been amazing! The apprentices are motivated, hardworking and enjoyable. ArtsWork is giving a group of funny, kind, smart and creative youth the chance to accomplish something big this summer. We can’t wait to see where this experience leads them.
Want to get in on the ArtsWork action? ArtsWork will host a painting make-n-take activity as part of the Rice Street Festival on Saturday, July 30. Check out the details!
We also have a ways to go before we can buy all of the supplies to complete both murals. Want to help? Just write ArtsWork in the “Tribute or Memorial Dedication” box when you make a donation. Thanks.
Watch this space for updates...
Additional financial support for this project comes from the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation, the Sundance Foundation, the City of Saint Paul’s Right Track program, Face to Face, the Mardag Foundation, and individual contributors to COMPAS.
In kind support for this project comes from Kendall’s Ace Hardware and BNSF Railway
Special thanks to District 6 Planning Council and City of St. Paul, Ward 5 City Council Office for extra support and encouragement!
