YouthCAN! is a positive youth development organization whose mission is to enhance educational opportunities for youth in Northwest Arkansas, and to promote community development through accessible arts programs for youth, adults, and families.
Funded as a substance abuse prevention organization, YouthCAN! has provided asset building programs for over 20,000 youth, adults, and families over the last eight years.
The Community Imagination Studio is a division of YouthCAN! which houses our art education programs and classes. The mission of the studio is to ignite artistic confidence by providing a studio environment for the diverse youth and adult population of Northwest Arkansas.
Our programs encompass a variety of fine arts media and instruction, with the ultimate goal of fanning sparks of creative self-expression, exchanging perspectives, discovering new talents, and building a relationship with the community.
Our Studio Art Programs
- engage the public and students with creative processes
- teach fine art skills
- teach personal exploration of a concept for the enrichment of created artwork
The Studio Art Programs are engaged in the making of art for the 21st century. The classes are founded in historical art practices interpreted through new voices of the current generation.
- Public Studio Hours are for all ages. Every Saturday, the studio is open for anyone who wishes to come get creative. Staff artists are available to assist and teach in a variety of mediums.
- Visiting Artist Series is a once monthly workshop. Artists from a variety of mediums provide demonstrations, guided instruction, and a chance for participants to receive feedback on their personal art work.
- Home School Art Institute is a weekly art education class designed for any home schooled student of any age.
- Summer Art Explosion is a five-week summer art camp for youth ages 10-16 with income based fees which make the program accessible for all youth.
- Family Studio Art Days are held once per month on a Saturday and are designed as art classes which get the families working together and communicating while being creative. These classes are free.
- Transformational Art Workshops for Youth are designed to explore intention and concept in the practice of visual arts.
- Transformational Art Workshops for Families draw the entire family into the dynamic, interactive process of working together to make art with innovative teaching approaches and imaginative activities.
- Healing Strokes, Art Therapy for Breast Cancer Survivors is a studio art workshop that functions as a support group for women dealing with a serious health issue.
The Community Imagination Studio also provides a Gallery Season with art displays scheduled regularly that feature work of visiting artists, as well as studio participants. Show openings are held several times throughout the year.