Since 1994, The Arts Commission has sponsored the award winning Young Artists at Work (YAAW) program. This six-week summer employment opportunity enables diverse and at-risk youth to benefit from an intense exposure to the arts.
The objective of YAAW is to provide an intensive arts experience that fosters artistic self-expression and a quality work ethic that can impact the youth throughout adulthood. The program encourages expression, refinement, cross-cultural sharing, and the exchange of ideas. The opportunity provides exposure to the concept of art as a business, as well as the creation of public art for the greater Toledo community.
YAAW serves the City of Toledo by instilling pride and the importance of shared experiences in the youth it employs as artists. To quote a past YAAW participant on the value of this program: “I cannot express my immense fondness of the time I spent in YAAW. Without it, I would not be leading the incredible life I am currently. Toledo needs YAAW. Every city needs a YAAW, really.”
2012 YAAW Program
YAAW Alumni Project