ArtLab
ArtLab is PlatteForum’s flagship arts education internship program for high school age teens from primarily Title 1 schools, living in the Denver metro area.
Our in-depth, curriculum-based arts education program meets Colorado state educational standards, by pairing professional artists with youth in a series of creative and social justice workshops.
Interns and artists work together to create bodies of work that speak to the social justice issues that matter most in their lives. ArtLab programs are provided over an extended period of time to allow for the building of long term relationships between youth, staff, and professional artists.
- Rogelio, 2018 ArtLab graduate
“I don’t know any other place like ArtLab. It is a group that is very aware of what is going on in the world and creates art about those issues.”
ArtLab Overview
Program Components
This paid High School Internship pairs youth with professional Artists as they develop artworks to display in public gallery settings. In the span of 1 year alone, interns will be immersed in the creative practices of 4 different Resident Artists, where they will practice utilizing their voices on various social justice topics. Our workshops offer dynamic arts-education experiences to support academic performance, self-expression, civic involvement, and more.
On top of their collaboration with our Resident Artists, interns will also have opportunities to hone in on their individual artistic practices through a series of workshops to develop the skills necessary to be a professional.
Hands-on Learning
ArtLab = Success
We foster provocative conversations and action on social issues that are important to our community.
PlatteForum’s ArtLab internship program integrates the creative process and arts-based learning with a range of tools, including social/emotional support and academic, personal, leadership, and professional skills development. The arts are utilized as a catalyst for teens to enhance their opportunities for self-understanding and encouragement to see themselves as change agents in their communities.
ArtLab interns will often have opportunities to practice public-speaking,
youth and artists with the resources to reach their full potential while addressing the social issues that matter most to them and their communities.
Carlos, 2018 ArtLab graduate
“PlatteForum is important to me because it’s helped me grow as a person. I’m proud of my grades and my attitude shift. Now I feel like I can go to class and do a good job.”
