ARTFORCE

ARTFORCE is offered for FREE to high school youth, but did you know the actual cost is $3,000 per student per year. Arts for Learning relies on generous donations, like yours, to make this program possible.

ARTFORCE is a three-week intensive summer program designed to empower high school students through immersive, real-world experiences in the arts that culminates in a day long public exhibition showcasing teen works of art.  From the outset, students engage in a professional application and interview process, gaining valuable preparation for future college and career opportunities. The program is offered FREE to youth. 

Once accepted, participants are mentored by professional artists and college-level educators who guide them through hands-on projects, creative exploration, and career-building workshops. Students receive art supplies, daily lunch, and access to exclusive experiences such as college-level art class previews, visits to local museums and arts organizations, and one-on-one mentorship. One aspect that makes this program unique is that students receive a stipend upon completion of the summer program.

A core component of ArtForce is entrepreneurship. Students meet with guest speakers from a variety of creative industries who demonstrate the many ways to build a career as an artist. They learn practical skills, including how to write an artist statement, prepare college and art school applications, price and promote their work, and professionally display their art. 

Recognizing that mentorship extends beyond three weeks, Arts for Learning is also in the process of creating the Continuing Mentorship Program to support ArtForce alumni through high school and into college. This initiative keeps staff and mentors connected, offering workshops, field trips, check-ins, professional development, and creative networks to foster lasting artistic and academic growth.

In the final week of the summer intensive annually in June, students bring together all they’ve learned in a culminating gallery exhibition—sharing their work with the public and celebrating their creative growth.