The Skillman Foundation

Youth Arts Leaders will begin as part of CCS’s 2021 “Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT)” summer youth employment program and will meet Mon. – Wed. virtually from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm and will come together at the College for Creative Studies for face-to-face meetings Thursdays at the same time. Mon. – Wed. sessions will be virtual work-day sessions. Thursdays will be in-person club sessions and will include field trips and group lunches. CCS envisions a combination of art making, socializing, exploring, and engaging in deep discussion about what works in programs and what could be done better. This intense summer session will allow time for developing lasting friendships, creating meaningful art, and having an impact on CAP’s programs. As part of the program, students will receive a scholarship to take one CCS Summer Pre-College intensive class, and all students will be paid minimum wage for summer sessions.

Skillman support will be used to bring in current CCS students who have been past CAP participants as student mentors during the summer intensive. After the summer intensive phase, when friendships have been established and work is underway, Skillman support will allow CAP to continue with all-day Saturday sessions once a month so that Creative Connectors may maintain their friendships, monitor progress, and continue their input into CAP programs throughout the year. Skillman funds will also support students in continuing to receive financial compensation for their ongoing participation as paid CCS employees.

The first project will be to have students work together with our staff to create a job description for our Creative Connectors. Based on this job description, students and instructors will work together to develop the program. How much time will be spent on different activities and when will be developed into mutually agreed-upon lesson plans. These activities will include exploring potential creative careers and experiencing arts resources such as museums, galleries, and public art in Detroit, and of course- making art while making friends.

To support fellowship, CAP will provide healthy snacks and drinks, tickets for any arts venues, transportation for field trips, and a regular Thursday shared lunch. Skillman support will allow these activities to continue beyond the summer program and throughout the 2021/22 school year. CCS will look to Creative Connectors to be co-creators of the program- selecting field-trip venues, giving input on the art curriculum, helping CCS to outreach more effectively to young people, and developing suggestions for CAP programs based on the shifting needs of creative youth, families, and communities at this time in Detroit.