Creative Art Works

CAW enacts its mission through four core programs: Public Art Youth Employment, In-School, Out-of-School-Time, and Community Art-Making. Programs not only expose students to the arts, but encourage personal growth, community engagement, and positive academic behaviors. Through CAW programs, youth develop tangible creative, employment, and life skills including leadership, teamwork, and responsibility.

CAW serves NYC children, teens and young adults aged 4-24 in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Of the youth served, 97% are of color (the vast majority being Black, African American, and Latinx) and 96% are low income. Many face compounding challenges including recent arrival in the US, lack of engagement in school, justice involvement, foster care, and/or transitional housing.

In our last fiscal year, CAW served over 2,000 youth:

• 263 Youth Apprenticeships in the digital arts & through the creation of large-scale public art
• 300+ participants with 11 Out-of-School-Time programs
• 1,199 students with 13 In-School arts integration programs
• 393 young people and their family members through Community Art-Making events.

CAW is seeking to expand its board, particularly new candidates reflecting the communities we serve with a passion for our mission. Board service with Creative Art Works empowering under-resourced youth through the arts offers an opportunity to serve a lean, mission-focused organization, while contributing palpable impact and building capacity.