Public Art Youth Employment

This summer, Creative Art Works is employing 135 Youth Apprentices at six worksites through our Public Art Youth Employment program. We look forward to sharing the work with you as it progresses and hope you will join us at an unveiling, presentation, or premiere on August, 12th, 13th, or 14th. Check this page for evolving details on these events. 

About our Summer 2025 Worksites

Kings County Family Court
CAW has painted more than 20 murals at Family Courthouses in Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx; this project marks our first partnership in Kings County. A series of panels invoking transom windows to another world will create a more welcoming waiting area outside the courtrooms on the ninth floor. 

Teaching Artists: Dani Coca and Colleen Kong-Savage. Teaching Artist Assistant: Cass Waters.

Unveiling:
Tuesday, August 12th, 12:45 — 2:00 p.m.
Kings County Family Court
Ceremonial Courtroom at 320/330 Jay Street, Room 2.95, Brooklyn, NY 11201

NOTE: Capacity is strictly limited. For more information, email programs@creativeartworks.org, or join us virtually via MS Teams at: https://cmi.nycourts.gov/st-kgsupcr/2025fam.

BXP
Long-time supporter BXP has commissioned youth-created artwork for one of their marketing centers. The team is designing an abstract, modular work on five canvases that can be subsequently reconfigured to enhance new spaces. 

Teaching Artists: Farah Mohammad and Natalie Raskin. Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training: Jonathan Hyman.

Unveiling:
Tuesday, August 12th, 3:30 p.m.
360 Park Avenue South (btwn 25th and 26th Street), Garden Level, New York, NY 10010

Or join us via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87454599665
Meeting ID: 874 5459 9665
one tap mobile
+19292056099,,87454599665# US (New York)
+16469313860,,87454599665# US

NOTE: For more information, email programs@creativeartworks.org.

Grant Houses
The game room in NYCHA's Grant Houses is a favorite gathering space for resident teens, but the decor needs a serious refresh. The NYC Department of Youth & Community Development has engaged CAW  to take on this project as part of a larger beautification initiative for its Cornerstone Centers.

Teaching Artists: Will Watson & Becky Schuman.

Unveiling:
Wednesday, August 13th, 3:00 — 4:00 p.m.
Grant Houses, 1301 Amsterdam Avenue, West Harlem

NOTE: Capacity is strictly limited. For more information, email programs@creativeartworks.org.

Jacob H. Schiff School Campus
CAW is painting a new 170-foot mural for the Jacob H. Schiff School Campus, home of PS 192 and Hamilton Grange Middle School. The expansive work will celebrate school values and the local community. 

Teaching Artists: Noga Cohen and Abby Walsh. Teaching Artist Assistant: Yotzin Reyes. Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training: Micaela Jimenez.

Unveiling:
Thursday, August 14th, 11:00 a.m.
The Jacob Schiff School Auditorium, 500 West 138th Street (btwn Hamilton Place & Amsterdam), NY, NY 10031

"Expression Ave."
Join us for a world premiere of a short oral history film that celebrates the West Harlem community and its vibrant arts scene. While our Youth Apprentices interviewed musicians, fine artists, restauranteurs, and fashion designers, they also expanded the definition of creativity to include barbers, fashionistas, street food vendors, and local merchants. The screening will include a Q&A session with the Youth Apprentices followed by our Grand Culminating event. Refreshments will be served.

World Premiere & Grand Culminating Event:
Thursday, August 14th, 3:00 p.m.
The Forum at Columbia University, 601 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027

Teaching Artists: Syr-Ivan Bennett and Amrita Singh. Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training: Ali Martinez.

NOTE: Admission is free. Please register in advance HERE, and/or check in at the CAW table in the lobby to receive an admission pass. For more information, email: programs@creativeartworks.org.

Mon Iker is the floating Teaching Artist supporting all worksites.

Our People

Staff

Karen Jolicoeur, Executive Director
Ian Newton, Director of Finance and Administration
Riki Sabel, Program Manager | Teaching and Learning
Donna Manganello, Program Manager
Kevin Claiborne, Program Manager
Ivory Nunez-Medrano, Community Artmaking Initiatives Coordinator
Emilio Vides-Curnen, Operations Coordinator      
Madeline De León, Program Coordinator
Clair Vogel, Development Manager
Scott Lucas, Marketing & Communications Manager
Jill Goldstein, Office Manager

Our Thanks

Creative Art Work’s Public Art Youth Employment program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 

Creative Art Work’s programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.