ABOUT arts street

Youth Program that Fosters Creativity

Arts Street is an 11 year-old non-profit youth program in Denver that creates opportunities for the young people of Colorado. The opportunities provided are designed to foster the inspiration and education of these youth to become tomorrow's professionals and supporting the workforce needs. This is achieved by developing and implementing highly diversified career-based, educational programs that incorporate real-world learning, artistic expression and creative thinking.

Image left: Stella Yu (founder) and arts street participants   


21st Century businesses around the world need  a workforce that can creatively solve problems. Arts Street developed its programs based on this need. The program is designed around teaching creative thinking to under-served youth, particularly those who may not connect well with traditional educational process, particularly inner city youth who do not have the financial or social support to succeed. The program is:

  • Sequential, and year-round
  • Art-based, while integrating science, technology, engineering and math
  • Provides employment for young adults from 14-21 year-old
  • Help build their confidence and skills
  • And position them for future professions

By using hands-on experiences, core academics, visual arts, music, theatre, dance, video, graphics and web technologies, teenagers are given a chance to discover how their creativity can lead to a career — and a rewarding life.

"I get to do what I love and get paid for it"
Heather, a youth apprentice at Arts Street

Check out our 2010 Program Schedule or find out how you can support this much-needed program.


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STAFF

Directors

Stella Yu, Executive Director
Read bio
e-mail: Stella.Yu@arts-street.org

Trish O'Connor, Technology Program Manager
e-mail: Trish.OConnor@arts-street.org

Board of Directors

Friends of Arts Street - 2010 Board of Directors
e-mail: info@arts-street.org


Jay B. Miller (President), Artist/teacher
Sara Greene (Vice President), Recruiting Strategist

Sue Ferguson (Treasurer), Systems Analyst

Paula Lee (Secretary), Web Support, Fusion Box

Marianna Bagge, Director of Community Outreach, Accelerated Schools

Mika Farer, Community Organizer


Advisory

Jennifer Agnew, Site Staff HR Manager, Summer Scholars

Jeannie Kaplan, Board of Education, Denver Public Schools

Ivy Hastings, Owner and Manager, Fusion Box

Youth Alumni Association

Nicole Banowitz, Museum of Outdoor Arts

Cari Smith, Conari Arts


HISTORY

A Colorado Non-profit Organization finding Creative Kids Today. For a Smart Work Force Tomorrow.

Arts Street was founded in 1995 to help high-risk youth channel their artistic talents, creative ideas and natural curiosity into professional activities that provide real-world employment experience. Arts Street was established as a project for the City and County of Denver and as of July 2005 became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

In 2009, Arts Street programs reached 1936 students, engaged 139 artists and reached more than 14,000 audience members.Through an application and interview process, youth are selected because of their interest in the arts. They work in simulated job situations to learn new skills, to apply creative problem solving and to complete work in a team environment.

Arts Street is a Tier III funded organization in the Denver Metro Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. In 2004, Arts Street was honored with the prestigious national "Coming Up Taller Award" presented by the First Lady of the United States of America. As one of fifteen best after school arts program in the nation, Arts Street guides youth participants toward a multitude of career possibilities and economic self-efficiency.



AWARDS

2007
  • Denver Metro Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Tier III

2006

  • Heavy Lifting Award, Mayor's Office for Education and Children, City & County of Denver

2005

  • Denver Environmental Education & Mural Project, in support of UNESCO’s Decade of Peace and Non-Violence among Children of the World; United Nations Association of the United States of America

2005

  • Guinness World Record attempt event for longest painting "The Art Miles Mural Project", Earth Day, Denver, Colorado
Coming Up Taller Award

2004

  • "Coming Up Taller" Award
    President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities;
    National Endowment for the Arts;
    National Endowment for the Humanities;
    Institute of Museum and Library Services.

2004

  • First Place, Photography Award Youth Career, Skills Challenge, Washington D.C.
    U. S. Department of Labor

2003

  • Community Contribution Award
    University of Colorado at Denver Alumni Association

1999

  • One of four "Good Ideas" award of the University of Colorado Foundations, Inc.

PRESS

Arts Street is proud to share all the great things we're doing.