Fuel Creativity. Shape the Future.

Arts for Learning
Oct 27
2 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Hi Friends,

As the fall season settles in, I'm reflecting on the incredible young people who fill our classrooms and studios with creativity, curiosity, and hope. Among them is A’ishah, a high school student who joined our ArtWorks program last year, and whose story perfectly captures why your support matters so deeply.

I’ll never forget the day we visited the Corning Museum of Glass and watched a live glass-blowing demonstration,” A’ishah shared. “Experiencing something so incredible up close made me realize just how many possibilities there are in the arts, and how important programs like ArtWorks are for teens like me.

ArtWorks is more than an after-school program. It’s a paid arts apprenticeship that gives high school students across Western New York the opportunity to create, learn from professional artists, and develop skills for their futures. Teens like A’ishah gain hands-on experience, discover their voices, and grow in confidence, all while being supported by caring mentors and peers.

A’ishah joined ArtWorks to learn new skills and collaborate with other young artists. Each week, she worked alongside professional Teaching Artists, gaining insight into creative processes and building confidence she didn’t know she had. One of her proudest moments came when her artwork was featured in a public exhibition at the Buffalo History Museum.“Having my creations showcased showed me that my creativity has value, and that it can inspire others,” she said. “ArtWorks doesn’t just teach art, it helps teens discover their voices and their potential.”

ArtWorks offers a safe, creative, paid opportunity for teens to explore their talents, gain professional experience, and develop skills they need to succeed in school, work, and life. Programs like this are increasingly rare in Western New York, where shrinking funding for after-school initiatives leaves fewer spaces for young people to learn, grow, and connect. That’s why your support is so vital.

I'm thrilled to share our newly released short film with you, Introducing ArtWorks: A Creative Path for Teens, created by Pan-American Film Division. This video features ArtWorks students, artists, mentors, and program moments in action - giving you a firsthand look at how creativity, mentorship, and paid opportunities transform the lives of teens, like A’ishah.

Since 2015, ArtWorks has been blending the arts with workforce development to help teens explore their creativity, gain professional skills, and grow as confident young adults. Every project, workshop, and showcase strengthens participants as artists and as people.