The MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board (CIWIB) is thrilled to announce that the ArtWorks program will be entering its 25th year! This program has long provided students in grades 10-12 the unique opportunity to explore the creative economy through hands-on learning. We are looking forward to this monumental year!
ArtWorks is a Connecting Activities initiative with local artists and schools in which students are placed in a 40-hour internship with local artist mentors throughout Cape Cod. Through this partnership, Cape Cod artists play a significant role in mentoring and exposing students to the creative economy within the region. Students receive tailored instruction and encouragement in their chosen medium. They grow as artists, but also as individuals through exposure to professional studios, working artists, and preparing for an end of year exhibit showcasing their art. They build self esteem, self confidence, and soft skills that transfers beyond their art to the rest of their lives.
Creating art for life
The ArtWorks Program has long provided Cape Cod high school students in grades 10–12 the unique opportunity to explore the creative economy through hands-on learning. Students are exposed to career awareness and career development skills within the studios of their mentors. This experience provides students with exposure to career pathways within the arts. Traditionally, students enrolled in the ArtWorks Program have explored artistic media within the following areas: drawing/painting, photography, fashion, fashion design, jewelry design, writing, poetry, video game design, dance and voice. Several years ago, the decision was made to enroll tenth grade students into the program, as a way of increasing exposure to career pathway education. We are thrilled that many of our recent ArtWorks graduates have continued their art education at the following colleges/universities: MassArt, Tufts, Maine College of Art, Cape Cod Community College and Montserrat College of Art.
ArtWorks is a program of the MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure an appropriate and available labor force for businesses on Cape Cod and the Islands. This is a unique mentoring program pairing Cape Cod high school students with professional artists. Students receive tailored instruction and encouragement in their chosen medium. They learn to grow as artists and as young adults through the guidance of this mentorship. The students build self-esteem, self-confidence, and soft skills that transfer beyond their art to the rest of their lives.
