classes
About this Course
Building Blocks Youth Arts Program is a free, 3-month intensive for young artists ages 12–17, with the objective of teaching visual arts fundamentals within a diverse cultural and historical context. The program focuses on developing effective visual language and supports young people in sharing their unique narratives through powerful storytelling via art.
The program includes 12 weeks of live virtual class sessions and self-paced e-course that provide not only skills development focusing on art making (Fall) and a solid studio arts practice (Spring) but an opportunity for creative expression within a fun, welcoming group environment that respects different learning styles and encourages experimentation. A virtual group exhibition shares the vital perspectives and observations of young artists participating in the program as a way to respect and share the voices of our youth with their communities and the larger general public.
The live virtual class sessions meet in two groups based on age:
- Wednesdays, Jan 8 – Mar 26, 4-6pm: For students ages 12 – 14 (group 1)
- Fridays, Jan 10 – Mar 28, 4-6pm: For students ages 15 – 17 (group 2)
The program curriculum adheres to the National Core Arts Standards, ensuring that the content is developmentally appropriate for each age group.
NEW: IN-PERSON EVENTS
Building Blocks will host Community Arts Gatherings and culminating art receptions in five host cities:
Brooklyn, NY; Newark, NJ; Camden, NJ; Millville, NJ and Philadelphia, PA
Through community partnerships. Each city will represent a cohort of 20 young artists.
Note: Families within these counties may choose the city closest to them.
What we'll cover
ART FUNDAMENTALS
- Design Elements & Principles
- Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media
- Storytelling, History, Research
- Critical Thinking & Responding
- Studio Structure & Practice
What's included
- 12 virtual live sessions (2hr each)
- Supplemental * e-Course
- Weekly challenges & experiments
- Weekly Office HRs (Student Check-ins)
- Group Forums / Parent Check-ins
- Virtual Art Exhibit + Catalog
Schedule
FALL
Sept – Nov (4 – 6pm EST)
This season focuses on art making fundamentals.
SPRING
Mar – May (4 – 6pm EST)
This season focuses on art practice fundamentals.
Dates
LIVE VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Cohort 1: Weds, Jan 8 – Mar 26, 2025 (new dates)
Cohort 2: Fri, Jan 10 – Mar 28, 2025 (new dates)
Cohort 1: no sessions yet scheduled
Cohort 2: no sessions yet scheduled
IN-PERSON EVENTS
Art Receptions: (dates and venues TBA)
Prepping for class
Registering for the full 12 week series includes an active online community with fun challenges, lively discussions and video tutorials.
LIMIT 20 artists per program city / season
EXTENDED Deadline is Sun, Jan 26th (11:59pm)
Materials list will be emailed to registered students.
Note: To accommodate late registrations, the first two weeks of live sessions will be recorded (Teacher’s image Only) for replay. This way, no student will fall behind scheduled lessons.
Sponsorship
Full scholarship funded by generous community support via Fractured Atlas
and by Soul Kindred Stories projects
THANK YOU !
Community Partners
These organization were the first to encourage and sponsor the Building Blocks Youth Arts Program
by providing young artists with valuable resources for academic research and artistic collaboration
Weeksville Heritage Center
(Brooklyn, NY)
Weeksville Heritage Center (WHC) is an historic house museum. We celebrate the history of Weeksville, a free and intentional African American community founded in 1838 in Brooklyn. Weeksville is as dynamic as it was when its founders created it.
Paul Robeson Galleries
(Newark, NJ)
The Paul Robeson Galleries (PRG) is dedicated to presenting art and cultural artifacts as well as educational and public programming in the spirit of the diverse metropolitan context of Rutgers University – Newark and Paul Robeson’s life-long commitment to unfettered artistic freedom, cultural democracy, and transnationalism.
Our Future First
(Millville, NJ)
Our Future First is a nonprofit organization focused on building solidarity & community through education, mutual aid, & other support systems. Our Future First also owns and operates <em>Reese’s House</em>, a collaborative community cafe and safe spot for our youth and community members to gather to talk, build, and share ideas.
Camden County Historical Society
(Camden, NJ)
Founded in 1899, the Camden County Historical Society (CCHS) is a public, non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, study, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of life in Camden County and Southern New Jersey.
Parkside Business & Community In Partnership
(Camden, NJ)
PBCIP was founded on the principle that residents create constructive ways to take back their neighborhood by integrating commercial revitalization, housing and quality-of-life initiatives to create a thriving and sustainable community.
Grants
Logos, names and links of foundations and private funders will be listed below
and included in all program promotional material.
Small Business Sponsors
Including financial and in-kind donations
Private Sponsors
Individual or family name of Private Sponsors, along with city or county (optional), will be listed below.
Building Blocks 2025
An opportunity for young artists serious about their craft to immerse in creative expression within a fun, welcoming group environment that challenges the mind, encourages experimentation and respects different learning styles.
Scholarship
Duration
12 Weeks
CUSTOM ARTS EDUCATION
Art Lives Studio’s Virtual Arts Education Program is made possible in part by the generous funding of the
Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation and Marrazzo Family Foundation.
Teaching Artists of the Mid Atlantic
