Age range

Website: www.afhboston.com

Mission/Goals: Artists For Humanity's mission is to provide inner-city youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts.

Source(s): www.guidestar.org; www.afhboston.com

Notes: The youth-run Arts Micro-enterprise, an apprenticeship/leadership program, places inner-city teens in small groups with professional urban artists/designers and young artist mentors to design, create and sell art products. With fully equipped, staffed studios in six artistic media - painting, photography, sculpture, silk-screen and graphic design, and the Young Women's Initiative- teens and mentors collaborate on creative projects, many specifically commissioned by clients. Studios meet after school from 3:00-6:00pm during the school year and 12:00-5:30pm during the summer. In 2005, AFH will employ more than 100 young people in their micro-enterprise.

Type of Evaluation: Non-experimental

Objective: To assess the success of each participant, the AFH program, community programming, and client services. This evaluation summary will only focus on participant success.

Impact/Outcomes: Participants reported feeling inspired, challenged, respected and safe in the program. Participants reported being excited to work and enjoyed connecting with other youth in the program, and being offered new experiences. Youth also reported enjoying sharing their work with the public and gaining respect and feedback from adults. Artistic mentors reported that youth showed a commitment to achievement and to the program. In the 2003-3004 school year, AFH reported that 89% of youth participated "to the fullest extent possible."