2008-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

ArtWORKS Academy
Albert Stewart, Director

“It is far easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”
Frederick Douglas

It is with our belief that art has been present in the mainstream of life's activities, serving as its reflection and conscience, that ArtWORKS Academy is dedicated to support actions that address humankind's need to express its sense of self, its place and its hope for the future through its art. It is through these deeply held values and core beliefs that it is our purpose to address the basic needs of “at risk” teens by improving the quality of life through art and exploring the “unexplored” possibilities for growing up in Tucson and Pima County.

In its ninth year, ArtWORKS Academy is a student centered alternative high school founded in 1998 as a collaborative effort between the Tucson Pima Arts Council and the Tucson Unified School District. The Academy’s target population is “at risk” youth, ages 14 to 19, who are disadvantaged yet artistically talented teenagers. It addresses priorities for youth with a focus on meaningful collaborations. Over the years, it has become the established center for the interchange of ideas dedicated to learning and resources, which further the quality of life for “at risk” teens through art.

Under the leadership of its Development Officer, the late Albert Soto, TPAC developed the mission of ArtWORKS Academy, designed its mentoring program with professional artists, and adopted its academic curriculum for high school graduation requirements.

As an arts administrator, Soto promoted the efforts of struggling young artists from marginalized communities by finding them grant money, developing opportunities to display their works, and giving them much needed encouragement and mentoring. He helped them discover their passions, find their voices and flourish. ArtWORKS evolved from his dedication.

The Academy’s essential goal has been to improve the quality of life for Tucson and Pima County “at risk” teens by preventing school dropouts; motivating self-esteem, and increasing self-discipline through tapping innate creativity and talent for artistic expression. Since its inception, its mandate has been to further the understanding of “at risk” conditions, define problem areas, address concerns and create solutions. The objectives have been motivated by a vision to create comprehensive change in social issues and develop an indispensable measure for “at risk” conditions.

ArtWORKS has accomplished its mission by integrating methods of learning that are closely related to the social, emotional and intellectual growth of all our children. Explored within the dynamics of art, the creative process has been the basis for these methods and has become a principle vehicle for change. Its approach has been based on the acknowledgement that art is a viable medium to change young lives.

The curriculum is rigorous, relevant to its mission, and builds success-oriented relationships in the community. The programs consist of an educational experience aimed at the basic needs of “at risk” teens, their completion of requirements for graduation, and preparation for college. Each student is mentored through an individualized study plan with an emphasis on learning and interaction. Students are encouraged to expand their artistic visions and enhance their technical skills in an environment dedicated to the support of artistic inquiry. Courses are offered in a broad range of studio practices, art history, museum and gallery practices, portfolio strategies, collaborative activities, symposia, workshops and expanded learning opportunities. The students’ creative explorations are combined with a curriculum in academics, including: English, history, mathematics and science courses, which allow students to fulfill their graduation requirements. In addition, this aspect of their study plan is designed to drive their initiatives as artists to become interdisciplinary in their explorations. Their immersion into these expanded areas encourages research and writing. The outcomes are measured by the breath and depth of their learning experiences, and their artistic inquiries become models for personal growth and understanding.

AIMS test scores for ArtWORKS students, who once had failing grades or dropped out, have remained consistently higher than the national average for reading and writing (at par for math). In addition, the graduation rate has been sustained at nearly 100 percent, higher than any other alternative school program in the Tucson Unified School District. Also, two recent graduates, Amelia Fuller and Acacia Rivera, have received scholarships from Pima County Youth Art Awards sponsored by TPAC and Pima Community College.

In the areas of recruitment and retention, the partnership directors and lead teachers have worked diligently to improve methods for identifying students for enrollment. Dual Enrollment programs with TUSD have increased afternoon enrollments and plans with JTED (Joint Technology Education District) will further the Academy’s goals for computer assisted learning, supported by a recent award from the City of Tucson, and the exceptional generosity of the Joseph Stanley Leeds Charitable Foundation and the Nicholas W. Genematas, II Foundation. In addition, a collaborative tutor program in reading has been established at the University of Arizona with the help of a donation from LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens, #1057). The Oxbow School, a nationally recognized art school in Napa, California, has continued to extend its scholarship program to ArtWORKS students. Two students, Tomas Phule and Janice Reyes, have been awarded full scholarship this year, and plans have been established for more collaborative development in the areas of exhibitions and interpretative programming. In the area of outreach programming, students have participated in the Annual Children’s Art Festival by setting up an open-studio and gallery display for Festival visitors. They have also created artwork and participated in the All Souls Procession.

Along with a successful Annual Benefit, Fund Development efforts also resulted in measurable support from the Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation, the Gannett Foundation and Tucson Electric Power, which enabled our programming to reach beyond just a well intentioned vision.

Since 2006, ArtWORKS Academy has exited as a partnership between the Tucson Pima Arts Council, the Tucson Unified School District and the Tucson Museum of Art. To insure ArtWORKS viability and future, the partnership directors and Advisory Committee have developed a transitional organization plan. The plan has lead to a new partnership alliance between TUSD and the Tucson Museum of Art, which will occur in the very near future, creating expanded opportunities and growth for the program and its students.

ArtWorks! Academy Launches New Web Site

2007-11-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

ArtWORKS! Academy, the only visual arts-focused public high school in Tucson, Arizona, is launching its new Web site in late November.

ArtWORKS! Academy News & Events

ArtWorks! Academy Launches New Web Site