The Artist Scholar Collective
Art. Academics. A Path Forward.
Our mission is to empower middle and high school students through artistic expression and academic support — building confidence, creative courage, and the skills to reach college and beyond.
OUR FOUNDATION
Two Pillars, One Program
Every student at The Artist Scholar Collective participates in both pillars. Art and academics aren't separate tracks — they're woven together into a single, integrated experience.
The Art Studio
Open studio time, medium-specific workshops, professional mentors, portfolio development, and public exhibitions. Students explore painting, drawing, digital art, photography, ceramics, printmaking, and more.
Academic Support
Homework help, tutoring in core subjects, college prep coaching, SAT/ACT readiness, essay writing support, and college application guidance — provided by trained volunteers and staff.
Mentorship
Each student is paired with an adult mentor — an artist, educator, or professional — who meets with them regularly to support their creative growth, academic goals, and life decisions.
Community & Career
College visits, guest speakers, paid internships, art commissions, and community exhibitions. Students build real portfolios and real networks before they graduate.
PROGRAMMING
What Students Experience
Open Studio — Art Studio
Monday–Saturday, 3–7 PM. The studio is open for free-choice art making with professional artists on site. Students can work on personal projects, learn new mediums, and build their portfolios in a welcoming, low-pressure environment — open four hours a day, six days a week.
Medium Workshops — Art Studio
Weekly 60–90-minute workshops in specific disciplines: oil painting, digital illustration, screen printing, ceramics, photography, collage, and fashion design. Taught by local professional artists who volunteer or are modestly compensated.
Homework Lab — Academics
Every studio day includes a dedicated homework hour (3–4 PM) with volunteer tutors available for math, science, English, and history. Students can arrive, settle in, knock out their homework, and then create.
College Prep Track — Academics
For high schoolers, a structured semester-long program covering: building a college list, personal statement writing, financial aid navigation, scholarship searches, and SAT/ACT prep. Students leave with a completed application and a college counselor who knows them by name.
Annual Spring Exhibition — Community
Each spring, students mount a professional gallery show open to the public. Work is exhibited, sold (students keep 100% of proceeds), and celebrated. This is the signature fundraising and awareness event — The Artist Scholar Collective's version of YAC's beloved LiveArt event.
Community Mural Projects — Community
Older students collaborate with local businesses and city agencies to design and paint public murals. They may earn a small commission and gain real-world professional experience while leaving a permanent mark on their community.
Financial Education — Finance
Twice each year, students will participate in a class led by a financial educator. These classes will introduce essential concepts including credit and borrowing, investing, compound interest, and the advantages and risks associated with credit cards.
OUR STUDENTS
Who We Serve
The Artist Scholar Collective is built for 6th–12th graders, with priority enrollment for students from under-resourced families. We welcome students who are brilliant and struggling, confident and on the fringe, multi-ethnic and multi-tempered. There are no auditions, no grades required for entry, no cost to participate.
We especially seek out students who haven't yet found their place — the ones who don't fit neatly into sports teams or academic clubs. Art is the door. Community is what keeps them here. Academic support is what sends them to college.