classes
About this Course
Building Blocks Youth Arts Program is a free, fully virtual, 3-month program for young artists ages 12 – 17, who are serious about their craft, designed to teach visual arts fundamentals within a diverse cultural and historical context and develop effective visual language for powerful storytelling through art. It’s an opportunity for youth to share their perspective.
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, Apr 9 – Jun 25, 4-6pm: For students ages 12 – 14 (group 1)
- Fridays, Apr 11 – Jun 27, 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 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 artists.
View in-person dates below.
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 (new winter dates)
Cohort 1: Weds, Jan 8 – Mar 26, 2025
Cohort 2: Fri, Jan 10 – Mar 28, 2025
Cohort 1: Weds, Apr 9 – Jun 25, 2025
Cohort 2: Fri, Apr 11 – Jun 27, 2025
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.
THANK YOU
Community Partners
These organizations were the first to encourage and support the Building Blocks Youth Arts Program
by providing young artists with space and resources for the Community Arts Gatherings
IN-PERSON SESSIONS
Community Arts Gatherings
These events are after-school workshop sessions, scheduled the same days and times as the virtual classes on Wednesdays or Fridays (* with some exceptions), only these include special additional themes to support artists’ research for their artwork.
Camden, NJ | Camden County Historical Society, Mar 27th
1900 Park Boulevard, Camden, NJ
Brooklyn, NY | Weeksville Heritage Center, Apr 11th
158 Buffalo Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
[RSVP]
Newark, NJ | date and venue TBA
Millville, NJ | date and venue TBA
Philadelphia, PA | date and venue TBA
Art Receptions: (dates and venues TBA)
The organizations above only offer meeting space and, if agreed, access to relevant exhibits and/or other study materials.
No financial or other requirements are expected.
Prepping for class
Registering for the full 12 week series includes an active online community with fun challenges, lively discussions and video tutorials.
Materials list will be emailed to registered students.
THANK YOU
General Program Funding
Building Blocks Youth Arts Program is a Fractured Atlas fiscally sponsored project
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
Logos, brief bios and links of Small Business Sponsors, per contribution tier, will be listed below.
Private Sponsors
Individual or family name of Private Sponsors, along with city or county (optional), will be listed below.
HOW FUNDS ARE USED
FOR IN-PERSON WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Each participating city includes
a Community Crew made up of:
- Teaching Artists to assist in-person workshop sessions
- Zoom Co-Pilot to help livestream the event and support artists attending virtually
- Documentation Team to film and photograph the event and artists’ creative process
- Art Supplies for students during art-making workshop sessions
- Organic Farm + Vegan Caterer for food education and healthy refreshments.
- Other (decor, tools, printing, transportation for crew)
FOR VIRTUAL WORKSHOP SESSIONS
General support to the program:
- Fellow Teaching Artists to assist virtual workshops
(goal: hire 2 teaching artists per program city) - Zoom Co-Pilot to support young artists attending virtually
- Art Supplies Scholarships for all participating artists
(goal: ship 100 care packages / 20 artists per city) - Culminating Events / Art Receptions (multi-city + virtual)
- Exhibition Catalogue (design and printing)
- Digital Tools and Subscriptions
If funding goals are met, the above Teams (Fellow Teaching Artist, Zoom Co-Pilot and Videographer / Photographer) and Resources
will be made possible during the program. Otherwise, the Lead Teaching Artist will conduct all workshops and provide documentation and supplies.
* If organic farm + vegan caterer collaboration is not possible, other arrangements will be provided by the Lead Teaching Artist.
If funding goals are met, at least 50% of art supplies will be sourced from earth-friendly, BIPOC owned manufacturers and stores,
to reflect the communities being served and to provide Art Supplies Scholarships through the Fractured Atlas platform fundraiser.
Otherwise, the Lead Teaching Artist will provide suitable alternatives during in-person workshops
and Parents / Guardians will provide supplies during virtual art sessions.
Full scholarship funded by generous community support via Fractured Atlas and by Soul Kindred Stories projects
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 Series 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
