Friday, March 26, 2004
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Make Art: Get Paid... with ArtWorks
By
Alison Momeyer
You might have seen the bat sculptures scattered around downtown Cincinnati last year, or remember the Big Pig invasion, or noticed how the reflection pool at Eden Park one year suddenly reflected an aquatic mosaic. Or perhaps you were lucky enough to witness the program “in session” with its small groups of young people working next to established artists in the task of creating public art, personal pieces and works for sale.
ArtWorks is a well-known entity in our city. What began rather humbly in 1996 under a tent in Eden Park has blossomed into a full-scale non-profit organization with a multi-faceted mission aimed at engaging Cincinnatians and particularly young ones, in the creation and appreciation of local art.
For the 9th consecutive year, ArtWorks has announced their recruitment of apprentice artists. For six weeks this summer, up to 150 youth ages 14-21 years old will be hired to work on a variety of creative projects ranging from visual and written arts to performance pieces, all under the tutelage of talented local artists. Specific work sites and project details have yet to be announced (but will be posted on the ArtWorks Web site in April). Past projects have included: creating murals for the walls of several departments at Children’s Hospital; working to research and learn drumming techniques and build individual drums; drafting and analyzing editorial cartoons; filming public service announcements; painting and tiling an outdoor bus shelter and building and painting collages and murals onto park benches.
The process for youth to earn a spot on the coveted ArtWorks roster is simple: applications can be downloaded online here: http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/jobs/student/application.shtml or they can be obtained by calling the ArtWorks office: (513) 333-0388. Interviews are scheduled for April 17 and 18. Youth must be available to work the full 6-week run, from June 21- July 30. Apprentices will earn $5.50/hour for 22.5 hours a week during the program.
The pay may not enable young artists to retire but it’s just one in a number of benefits that apprentices receive. Working with a living-breathing artist is intentionally designed to mirror the traditional artisan guild system in which experienced artisans mentor young apprentices to become experts in their craft. According to staff at ArtWorks, this time-honored system helps young artists develop technical know-how, craftsmanship and professionalism in their chosen field. Once apprentices are adequately trained they are allowed to work independently on more challenging projects.
For more information about ArtWorks, or to see examples of past projects, go to: http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/index.shtml If you’re young and you like to make art, chances are good ArtWorks will have an appropriate medium for harnessing your talents. It’s as straight forward as their logo: Make Art. Get Paid. Then again, it’s a whole lot more than that too.
Time Warner Cable is a proud sponsor of the ArtWorks program. You may visit the Time Warner ArtWorks Gallery at 811 Race Street (between 9th Street and Garfield Place, downtown Cincinnati), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The gallery showcases work of young and emerging talent whose works range from “fun and funky to provocative and profound.”
Alison Momeyer is a freelance writer working amidst the chaos produced by
her five-year-old daughter and three-year-old twin boys.
