Youth
Youth
Inspiring a Vibrant Future
Young Artist Background
Overview
Inspiring young artists ensures a greater commitment to creativity and community that has a lifelong impact. We encourage area teens to express themselves through our youth programs. Toledo's teens need access to arts and creative opportunity now more than ever. For more than 30 years our programs have inspired thousands of Toledo youth to explore their individuality while working as a team to change their city for the better and to develop more fully into thoughtful and responsible citizens. Our YAAW and Congressional alumni can be found all over Toledo and the world making a difference.
YAAW
Since 1994, Young Artists at Work (YAAW) has offered paid summer apprenticeships to area teens to learn creative skills and job skills alike and to connect to community through the creation of public art and salable works. Each year more than 40 teens from diverse neighborhoods and communities in and around Toledo come together to find a completely unique summer employment opportunity and access to an experience designed to impact for a lifetime.
Congressional
Since 1983, in partnership with Congresswoman Kaptur, the Ninth Congressional District Invitational Art Exhibition has offered a fine arts and commercial design experience for area high school teens. The annual reception and awards ceremony is host to hundreds of students, friends, and families from across Ohio's Ninth Congressional District, offering a curated fine arts experience in a professional gallery setting. Cash awards are given, with the first place winner receiving the honor of having their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
YAAW 2020
Young Artists at Work
For the first time in its 26 year history, YAAW was remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 40 teens were hired to make art from home and collaborate on projects.
Want to recommend a young artist for YAAW?
Teacher, counselor, minister, mentor, or neighbor. You know our community best. Do you know a 14-18 year old student who would benefit from the Young Artists at Work experience? We're interested in your recommendations for area youth who would benefit from a dynamic six-week paid summer apprenticeship in the arts. Click on the below button to submit a recommendation on his/her behalf. Remind the youth to complete his/her youth application at the button above.
INTROSPECTION
The YAAW 2020 apprentices made a zine.
Introspection is a collection of works from teen apprentices interpreting a self-reflective theme. Special thank you to Olivia Anderson, Jessika Letson, Melissa Mintz, Nick Felaris and all contributors.
YAAW TALK
The 2020 Senior Apprentices made a podcast.
YAAW TALK explores the issues young artists are dealing with today. Dylan Smith asks apprentices about their experiences. Produced by Alexandra "Sunny" Rohloff. Animated, edited, and mixed by Nick Felaris.
Hear from apprenitices
Watch videos the 2020 apprentices made to share the experiences of teens.
Zoe Kuehn cut together footage apprentices recorded on various topics. Teens share their thoughts on being isolated, the ongoing civil unrest, and how it has affected their art.
Featured Supporters
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of our generous sponsors of the YAAW program.
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| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | |||||||||||
| Directions Credit Union | |||||||||||
| Fifth Third Bank | |||||||||||
| Grand Lubell Photography | |||||||||||
| Greater Toledo Community Foundation | |||||||||||
| Handmade Toledo | |||||||||||
| Hylant Family Foundation | |||||||||||
| Kingston HealthCare | |||||||||||
| The LaValley Foundation The League of Women Voters | |||||||||||
| Lucas County Job and Family Services | |||||||||||
| The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation | |||||||||||
| O-I Glass, Inc. | |||||||||||
| Ottawa Tavern | |||||||||||
| TARTA | |||||||||||
UToledo Interprofessional Simulation Center
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| Ms. Caroline Jardine | |||||||||
| Ms. Kara Jennings | |||||||||
| Kristin Johnson | |||||||||
| Dr. Ardenia Jones-Terry | |||||||||
| Ms. Tamika Kemp | |||||||||
| Sharon and Lawrence Kerstetter | |||||||||
| Ms. Kelly Kessler | |||||||||
| Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth K Kilbert | |||||||||
| Ms. Adrienne King | |||||||||
| Ms. Kirsten Koschnitzke | |||||||||
| Ms. Betina Layson | |||||||||
| Jamie Lefevre | |||||||||
| Mrs. Patricia Levey | |||||||||
| Ms. Carol A Lewandowski | |||||||||
| Mrs. Linda Liber | |||||||||
| Mrs. Suzanne Lind Liewald | |||||||||
| Ms. Jonelle Massey | |||||||||
| Ms. Sonia Flunder McNair | |||||||||
| Mrs. Mary Igoe Meyers |
| Mr. and Mrs. Michael Muse |
| Ms. Elaine Nicol |
| Ms. Teanya Norwood |
| Michelle Arnold Paine |
| Diane and Jerry Phillips |
| Ken Pitsenbarger |
| Mr. Matthew Pollzzie |
| Kelli Stegman and Gene Powell |
| Ann and Bill Riddle |
| Mysoon Rizk |
| Ms. Janet C Rogolsky |
| Ms. Mayka Rosales-Peterson |
| Ms. Marilyn Rudolph |
| Mary L Sawers |
| Mr. Bradley Scherzer |
| Ms. Catherine Schrein |
| Ms. Judy Schwind |
| Ms. Diana Schwind |
| Ms. Mona Shousher |
| Ms. Sarah K. Skow |
| Mrs. Patrice C Spitzer |
| Mr. Peter C Taylor |
| Scott and Margy Trumbull |
| Jim Moore and Tim Valko |
| Amanda and Frank Viviano |
| Ms. Richelle D Watkins |
| Dr. and Mrs. David Weinberg |
| Mr. and Mrs. Richard E Wolff |
| Ms. Kim Turner Young |
| Dr. and Mrs. Robert A Zimmerman |
YAAW ALUMNI
Let us know what you've been up to!
After 25 years of YAAW, there are so many stories to capture. Stay in touch with the Arts Commission to stay in the know about events and opportunities.
