a message to the youth of milwaukee, and of america
For over two decades, ArtWorks for Milwaukee has stood for the voice and power of young people who are often overlooked or dismissed. Today we stand, ten toes down, with our vision of opportunity for all youth clearer than ever.
To the youth of Milwaukee, and of America:
You deserve opportunities.
You deserve safety.
You deserve liberty and justice for all.
You deserve the space to explore your identity.
You deserve a healthy, vibrant planet.
You deserve free school lunches.
You deserve to be here, regardless of how you came to be here.
You deserve to have choices about your future.
You deserve to be invested in. You are our future.
You deserve a holiday table that is free of discord and focused on togetherness and gratitude.
You deserve to be heard.
You deserve to be affirmed, uplifted, and supported by the adults in your life.
ArtWorks is not, and has never been, a partisan political organization. However, many of the values ArtWorks stands for have been politicized. We operate within a deeply divided society, and like many nonprofits we rely on government funding that can be given or taken away to suit a political agenda. Regardless of the outcomes of any election, we are here to celebrate and uplift the voices of young people and to show them their power to make a difference.
About
Since 2001, over 1,450 high school students have participated in ArtWorks’ programs that encourage development and practice in essential soft skills for their future careers.
“This internship helped me speak up, come out of my shell, and show more of myself and talents. This organization helped me come a long way. I don’t feel nervous now like I was before. This changed me alot, and showed me my true talents. ”
our vision:
all youth have access to career readiness opportunities.
ArtWorks for Milwaukee provides high school students with paid internships in the arts. Every ArtWorks internship is designed to help teens develop transferable job skills that are critical to today’s working world.
Volume 2 now Available!
Find stress-relief this year
with our intern-designed coloring book!
““Stepping into unknown territory can be daunting, but it’s where growth happens. Embracing challenges and taking initiative have become second nature. As I conclude, I’m not just leaving with a sense of accomplishment, but with newfound leadership skills that will stay with me.””
““I’ve learned how to be a leader and a collaborator. I’ve also learned about technique and critical thinking, as this project has been a lot of trial and error. I am very proud of this project and the work we have put into it. I’m happy that it can be displayed somewhere it will be appreciated.” ”
“ArtWorks has provided my students with caring adult mentors who have helped them connect with the professional world beyond just their internship experience. I have seen students excited to go to work, and proud of the work they did within their internship. I saw first-hand the exciting, creative, and professional work my students did within their internship, but I also saw that work extend back into their education.”
