Removing Barriers, Changing Behaviors
How this year's Deborah Vesy System Change Champion Award honorees are enabling more youths and adults to access family-sustaining careers
CLEVELAND, OHIO, (August 18, 2022)--
Center for Arts-Inspired Learning
Fashion design. Hip hop MC-ing. Mixed media portraits. These are among the focus areas high school students can choose to apprentice in at the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning. But those who attend the six- to 12-week ArtWorks program walk away with more than a new artistic ability. They are equipped with the skills needed to be successful in the workforce.
For nearly 70 years, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning has been providing critical access to arts education for students across Northeast Ohio. Its ArtWorks apprenticeship program, now in its 19th year, takes an arts-integrated approach to job training, coupling skill development in a particular art form with hard and soft 21st century job skills, such as public speaking, interviewing, networking, financial literacy, use of technology and collaboration.
"ArtWorks looks at the world of work through the lens of the arts, opening up their minds to the possibilities of what their pathways beyond K-12 education could be," said Emma Parker, senior director of arts education.
The program also provides students with a stipend. For many students, this is their first paycheck.
"The youth find ways to expand on the tools we give them," Parker said. "One fashion design apprentice went out and bought herself her very first sewing machine. … Other youth are just happy to support their families or are putting the stipends into savings accounts."
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning partners with other organizations, including College Now, Young Adult Resource Center and the Better Business Bureau, based on the needs of the students each year.
"When we think about systems, we recognize that we're not the only cog spinning," said Sheffia Dooley, president and CEO. "It's not enough to hand a student a check. They still need to be able to get there. They still need to eat when they get there. We are trying to support all those needs. That's why we strive to connect more with community resources."
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