Creating an ArtZone: The Community Foundation for Kingston and Area supports innovative program for teens at the Agnes

The Community Foundation for Kingston and Area (CFKA) has awarded a grant to ArtZone, a new program for teens that will be offered at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre in the fall of 2015. ArtZone is a free drop-in after-school art program for youth ages 14–18 being offered in the beautiful André Biéler Studio of the Agnes. Kingston artists will lead this program for artistically-inclined youth who want to explore materials and ideas in-depth in a setting that will encourage creative expression and build skills. This ten-week pilot program will run from September to December 2015, on Thursdays, 3 to 5 pm.

Agnes Director Jan Allen describes the origins of the project, “In keeping with Kingston’s Youth Strategy, we realized we could address youth interests and improve access to our programs by creating a free youth-friendly space at the gallery. The CFKA grant will assist us in paying professional artists to facilitate art projects in the studio, subsidize teens’ travel to the Agnes, and provide materials and light refreshments in a welcoming, inspiring milieu.”

“This is a new format for the Agnes, and offers outreach to Kingston’s teens in an informal open structure that suits their leisure-time needs,” said Pat Sullivan, Public Programs Manager, who developed the project with input from artists, educators and youth. “It will be wonderful to see more youth engaging with art in our exhibitions, and exploring new materials and techniques in the studio. We are very grateful to the CFKA for its support.”

The grant of $3489 is awarded through the Edward Ratcliffe Fund and the Marla and Gregg Rosen Fund.