With support from the Helen Bader Foundation, ArtWorks is building its organizational capacity so it can roll out an expanded program model. This effort will eventually quadruple the number of interns the nonprofit serves. Since 2001, ArtWorks has offered high school students paid internships that help them develop life and career skills through art projects.The expanded program model also offers the opportunity for a longer period of time to engage the students. In addition to the existing eight-week paid internship, ArtWorks will offer a four-week unpaid internship for teens to learn basic art and job-related skills, with a chance to be hired on for the paid internship. The model also includes a new leadership opportunity for selected interns to further develop their job and leadership skills as assistants to the program’s adult Lead Artists.“The economy is placing a higher and higher value on creative thinking when it comes to job seekers, no matter the field,” said Jerry Roberts, Foundation program officer. “We want to ensure that our city’s youth have exposure to career opportunities that develop and share their creative talents, so we are pleased to help Artworks for Milwaukee expand its reach.”

“ArtWorks typically receives 450 applications for the 48 internship positions we have been able to offer. The Helen Bader Foundation’s support will allow us to reach even more of these students who are interested in learning basic job skills through our arts internships,” said Terry Murphy, ArtWorks’ executive director. “We are incredibly grateful to the Foundation for this grant, which is significant for a small and growing organization like ours.”