Unlike
the trend in many school districts of cutting art programs or doing away with
art entirely, the OAAC builds its entire program around art.
The OAAC opens its doors to
students that would never have the opportunity to be exposed to the rigors of a
“studio art” program.
The Studio Art Program for young-adults
works with “at risk young adults” between the ages of 16-21
who are interested in art. The
student concentrates totally on art for one year.
This allows time and support for
the student to find his/her passion for art and allow the healing powers of art
to take hold. The students prepare
for art-related careers, art schools or colleges.
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Eligibility:
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Residents of Philadelphia, Pa
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Age: 16-21
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Male/Female
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Young Adults who have had trouble in school – either kicked
out or quit.
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Must have an interested in Art
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Fine Arts
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Graphic Arts
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Computer related Arts
Process:
Two interviews by the director and one or
more teachers with the student and parents (or guardian or court appointed
counselor or worker). The OAAC
Board of Directors review accepted applicants. Upon approval by the Board the
student’s year is divided into three parts:
1. Stabilization of the young
adult Stabilize the student for the first six weeks.
This is a very important time for
the student. The student and
parent (or guardian or court appointed counselor/worker) is given the mission
statement, philosophy, goals, and rules of the program.
He or she is introduced to all
the courses offered, Courses Include:
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Mural Painting, Painting, Drawing, Photography
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Illustrator, QuarkXpress, PhotoShop
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Art History, Creative Writing
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Air Brush, Video Production
A contract is drawn
up between each student and teacher and projects are assigned for each class.
Experimentation and freedom of
expression is a key component in our program. The student is not expected to produce
any finished art at this stage of the program. This part of the program is where the
“fire is started”, the passions are generated for art and the healing
powers of Art kicks in.
2. Assignment of responsibility in chosen art
discipline. After three
months each student is assigned a responsibility in a chosen art discipline.
For example Josh has progressed
very well in mural painting and is now in charge of the mural program at
Pickett School. His
responsibilities include materials – inventory, clean up and preparation,
supervising the kids murals and review of future murals at Pickett.
Jonny is our best photographer
and is in charge of the Darkroom. His responsibilities include materials –
inventory, clean up and preparation and scheduling time for the darkroom.
Shows and contests are entered
after photography one is completed.
Internship programs are investigated at this time.
By six months each student must
have a part time job of 8 to 15 hours a week in any field.
Begin to preparation for the
College Program at Temple University.
Besides the everyday problems of making art, students begin to focus on
skills needed to enter the work force or college life.
Examples of skills
addressed are:
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resume writing,
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job interviewing
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conflict resolution
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punctuality and dependability
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ownership and boundary issues
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Urban transportation issues
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public speaking
3. Internship, job or
college placement: The ninth month is focused on the internship and
preparation for the job interview.
A portfolio is produced. Resumes are completed.
Special needs are addressed at
this time. Some examples are:
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work habits
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sleep habits
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transportation issues
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clothes for the interview
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diet
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birth control
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child care
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criminal record
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probation requirements
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understanding a job or school application
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understanding the Juvenile and Adult Justice System
The student is
expected to have a job, internship or acceptance into a college or art school
at the completion of the twelfth month.
For special exceptions a student will be recommended for an additional
three months of study subject to Board approval.
The
student is monitored throughout the year.
At the present time no more than fifteen students will be enrolled in
the program at one time.
Enrollment is on an ongoing basis.
Each student will be at a different stage in his or her “art year
development. It is intentional
that we bring together students at different stages of the program because the
“art passion” is contagious and program is better understood when
working with ones peers who have been through the process.
