Arts on the Block

Arts on the Block (AOB) achieves its mission by providing real-world experiences in the arts and entrepreneurial training geared toward opening new pathways to learning, self-discovery, and achievement.

Entering its twentieth year of programming, AOB is the only hands-on visual art apprenticeship program in the region, offering youth and young adults the opportunity to learn about art, design, and business by engaging them in real-world public art commissions. We recruit, train, place, and support youth (ages 4 through 13), teens (ages 14-18), and young adults (ages 19-24) with art and design aptitudes who might not ordinarily be introduced to entry-level jobs and career paths in the creative industries.

AOB's young creatives are often asked to lean forward when interfacing with commissioning clients and presenting their work and program experiences to public audiences.

Our teen apprentices and young adult studio crew members have designed, fabricated, and installed over 280 public and semi-private artworks in the DMV since 2003.

AOB's Art Center is in downtown Silver Spring, on the first floor of the Brigadier General Charles McGee Library. However, we are committed to working with communities that cannot reach us.