ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY INC
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Mission Statement
Artists For Humanity’s (AFH) mission is to provide underserved urban youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH’s mission is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people and their communities. Bridging economic, racial, and social divisions, AFH restores urban neighborhoods by introducing young people’s creativity to the business world. AFH utilizes four strategies to realize our mission by offering youth: (1) the respect and responsibility of paid employment that promotes self-esteem and workforce readiness; (2) a safe, meaningful place where teens develop important mentoring relationships; (3) an opportunity to be part of a creative community; and (4) educational enrichment that supports and encourages high school graduation and post-secondary education.
About This Cause
Under-resourced teens enter AFH because they need a job, because they want a safe place to go with their peers after school, because they want to be part of something productive. What they find is a culture of respect, responsibility, and engaged mentorship where their creativity is valued, their peers are their colleagues, and they have an opportunity to learn and conduct business. These experiences open doors to successful, self-sufficient futures by inspiring youth and equipping them with the advanced skills in creative-thinking, communications and problem solving that will assist them as they plan their futures. AFH’s central program, the Youth Arts Enterprise, employs 250 Boston teens annually during their crucial out-of-school hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 3:00-6:00PM during the school year and Monday-Friday from 12:00-5:30PM during the summer. Following a paid apprenticeship model, AFH partners teens, with little or no experience, over a prolonged time period with professional artists and designers; 70% of youth participate for more than one year. Youth and art/design mentors collaborate on innovative projects – like animating a video for National Grid’s website, developing a workforce training video for Jobs for the Future and engineering bike racks for installation throughout the City – that promote active learning and advanced 21st Century Skills development in creativity, media, collaboration, technology, critical-thinking, problem-solving and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts. AFH offers youth this project-based learning in fully-equipped, staffed studios in Graphic Design/Motion Graphics, Painting/Murals, Photography, Screen-Printing, Sculpture/3D Design, Video and Web Design. AFH’s studios focus on developing youth creativity and innovation, and feature a small group structure of 7-12 young people working alongside a professional artist mentor, involving one-on-one tutelage. This individual attention enables the mentor to introduce new concepts, discuss the work’s direction, give constructive advice on techniques, and ensure that each participant is working to his/her potential. Remember: youth enter AFH with no previous experience; this hands-on approach builds skills and aptitude. Youth are further encouraged to self-direct by choosing subject matter, researching ideas/images, and exploring techniques of choice. Group critique strengthens communication and critical analysis. Commissioned projects require apprentices to focus attention, listen carefully and craft a product that responds to client needs. Through this process, young people have positive and encouraging interactions with adults who value their work and appreciate their contributions. Teens participate in planning, product development and marketing of projects. Like any other job, they are expected to be punctual, treat the work seriously and function as team members. Unlike most jobs available to teens, young people are directly involved in client negotiations and meetings, giving them an important introduction to the professional world. AFH further prepares teens for today’s global knowledge-based economy by ensuring they have access to computer literacy, digital media, STEM concepts and advanced technological training. Significantly, the combined experiences and skills gained at AFH are the same ones defined by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills as necessary for academic, career and life success.