Lucas County Commissioners and the Arts Commission announces partnership to engage young artists through the 2016 Young Artist at Work program
TOLEDO, OH – The Lucas County Commissioners and the Arts Commission are pleased to announce the continuation of their partnership to create opportunity for diverse and at-risk teens. These young men and women who represent more than 25 area high schools will have meaningful summer employment in the arts to beautify Toledo public spaces as part of the 22nd year of the Arts Commission’s Young Artists at Work (YAAW) program.
The Lucas County Commissioners will assist the program in 2016 with a funding allocation of $24,900 in TANF funding.
A team of 15 youth artists will design and create a new mural for the back wall of the underground parking garage of the Main Branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library as part of their paid apprenticeship with the YAAW program this summer. The concept and imagery of the mural will be directed by feedback gathered from Toledo Lucas County Public Library staff. The planned mural will be across the garage from the mural depicting the history of Lucas County created by the YAAW apprentices in 2008. The 2008 mural was funded by Lucas County Job and Family Services and the Library Legacy Foundation.
Lucas County Board President Tina Skeldon Wozniak said, “The Young Artists at Work Program gives our young people an opportunity to explore their community and to help beatify it. I would like to commend the leadership of the Arts Commission and the dedication and hard work shown by these young people.”
Lucas County Commissioner Carol Contrada added, “Lucas County is so proud of these talented young men and women. The value added to the community by this program is immense. Young people are given an opportunity to show that art can be a career and we are beautifying our neighborhoods and the downtown area for years to come. The personal value to the young artist is invaluable.”
Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken concluded, “Every time I drive through our community and see a Young Artist at Work mural I think about how this program was a driver for young men and women to experience the arts and to take part in making Lucas County a better place to live.”
To learn more about the YAAW program, please visit TheArtsCommission.org.
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