Why Can't My Child Do This in Their School?
Building on 30+ years of engaging young people in the creative process during out-of-school hours, AFH is now collaborating with schools during the day. This initiative was launched in 2019 in response to people who admired the AFH model and continued to ask us, “Why can’t my child do this in their school?”
Our initial goal was to fully utilize our studio space and mentor talent during school hours, reaching as many young people as possible, and exposing a wider audience to AFH’s model and mission. Initially named ‘STEAM To Schools,’ the program navigated the challenges of COVID and has undergone shifts, changes and significant growth.
Our initial goal was to fully utilize our studio space and mentor talent during school hours, reaching as many young people as possible, and exposing a wider audience to AFH’s model and mission. Initially named ‘STEAM To Schools,’ the program navigated the challenges of COVID and has undergone shifts, changes and significant growth.
From one pilot project in 2019 to 16 school collaborations by 2022.
We have been so impressed with the impact reported by teens, parents and school staff who have experienced the value of the program. And after much reflection, in 2022 we rolled out a new name for our school and community partnerships—AFH Co-Lab. The new name better captures the work we’ve done with schools and communities. It highlights the collaborative and dynamic nature of our programming and its focus on the AFH model. AFH Co-Lab continues to build upon our successes by introducing more young people to art and design mentorship, entrepreneurship, and the healing power of the arts, all within AFH’s context of community engagement, social justice and youth leadership.
AFH Co-Lab provides youth with the opportunity for hands-on learning during school-time, completing a project that will benefit their school or community. Students take on the role of AFH teen designers, while teachers, staff or community members select a design project that best meets their expected outcome and educational objectives. Projects range from an art installation for the surrounding community to a sculpture for school grounds, bike racks, or promotional school videos.
AFH Co-Lab provides youth with the opportunity for hands-on learning during school-time, completing a project that will benefit their school or community. Students take on the role of AFH teen designers, while teachers, staff or community members select a design project that best meets their expected outcome and educational objectives. Projects range from an art installation for the surrounding community to a sculpture for school grounds, bike racks, or promotional school videos.
Impact
In 2022, our goal was to reach 50+ teens in grades 6-12 during school hours. By December 2022, our amazing art and design mentors had engaged with 162 young people through AFH Co-Lab projects!
2022 included partnerships with Brimmer & May, Excel High School, Revere City Lab, Birches School, Montessori School, and planning for partnerships in 2023 with BB&N and Codman Academy.
2022 Highlights
AFH launched an innovative program with five students from Excel High, our neighborhood BPS high school, fusing advanced training and school credit in art and design during the day with after-school employment at AFH in the Creative Technology Studio. Teens collaborated on the coding and graphic design for an original game called “Bridezilla” where the player races to prepare for a wedding. Teens came up with this concept in part due to its potential marketability in AFH’s event space. One Excel senior also coded and designed his own personal website for future use in his job search beyond high school. Our ongoing partnership with Excel High feeds into a larger vision to serve as our neighborhood high school’s primary arts partner, as Excel creates a career-oriented Art and Design Pathway in the coming years.
Excel High School
The Birches School’s 6th, 7th and 8th graders collaborated on 27 paintings for Gaining Ground, a nonprofit farm in Concord, MA, with AFH Painting Studio mentors. Students worked with Gaining Ground to understand their mission and artistic needs on the farm. The final product was completed in June, with the 27 pieces displayed at Gaining Ground on a 6' x 9' cube fabricated by AFH’s 3D Design Studio.
Birches School
“We could not be more thrilled to be the recipients of the spectacular mural that now is a feature presence at the Farm…in shepherding this project from start to finish, AFH mentors made certain that each student was able to contribute and recognize his/her/their role in this collaborative effort…thank you!”
—Laurie Engdahl, Gaining Ground Farm Board Member
In 2022, Brimmer & May worked with AFH’s 3D Design studio to create a Little Library for the school campus. Juniors, seniors and AFH 3D Design mentors collaborated on the design, and seniors spent two weeks at AFH in May building the structure in the woodshop. The Little Library’s design is inspired by the unique architecture of Brimmer’s gym roof, which is scheduled to be replaced in the coming years.
Brimmer & May High School
“From day one I have been amazed by what we can do [at AFH] and the responsibility they give us…I was able to offer potential solutions that were taken seriously and even used.”
—Theo, Brimmer & May 12th Grader
AFH Co-Lab increases our impact, introducing more young people to Artists For Humanity. Teens learn about and experience our model with AFH mentors, who challenge youth to trust in their abilities and expand their perception of what is possible.
In 2022, earned revenue and contributed foundational support for our school collaborations totaled over $62,000, more than double our original goal. In 2023, we project earnings of over $100,000 from AFH Co-Lab partnerships. We’re excited for what's to come!