Youth Artist Projects
Youth Artist Projects (YAPs) are collaborative classes in contemporary art in which Boston Public School youth (ages 14-19) work with professional artists (Artists-in-Residence) to develop and create a participatory art project. YAPs are paid opportunities for teens to learn creative skills; build their portfolio; meet other young artists in Boston; and investigate social issues through art and place-based education.
Urbano fosters the model of the artist as citizen, actively engaged in conversations with our surrounding community through the lens of contemporary art. We support and challenge youth to become civically engaged artists and tackle social issues in their community that directly affect their lives. Through artistic collaboration, participating youth and professional artists are challenged to create projects within the boundaries of exhibition spaces, virtually, and in their community. These projects span diverse artistic themes and disciplines, but they are all rooted in the fundamental principles of collaboration, risk-taking, and creative and critical expression.
“I want to gain experience in art to not only make a change in my community but the whole world. Actions speak louder than words.”
–Spring 2020 Youth Artist
with Summer 2022 Artist-in-Residence Sarah Plotkin