Winnipeg art centre receives funding for Graffiti Art programming

Downtown Biz announces funding for innovative Graffiti Art Programming at Portage Place mall

Posted by Sandy Thacker, SCENE Producer | Tuesday April 17, 2012 http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/other/2012/04/17/downtown-biz-unveils/

Pat Lazo's "Aerosol on Canvas" (Studio 393)

We know that youth have this reputation of hanging out a lot but when you walk past Studio 393 and you see a group of young people dropping in on dance practises, or creating art exhibits, or just sitting, talking and learning...I think that's really exciting change.

—Jillian Ramsay, Programs Director - Graffiti Art Programming Inc.

Today Downtown BIZannounced funding for three downtown organizations through itsChange for the Betterprogram.

Graffiti Art Programming Increceived $24,200.towards a unique project that takes 'hanging out at the mall' to a new, creative level.

Graffiti Art Programming Inc.(better known as Graffiti Gallery)  is a youth arts centre, with a great reputation for its creative arts programming and community building. It's located at Higgins Avenue and Gomez Street.   

Studio 393 participant (Graffiti Art)

Recently Graffiti Art Programming launched a pilot project at Portage Place Mall to reach out to young at-risk mothers and fathers. 

Jillian Ramsay is the Programs Director for Graffiti Art Programming.   She's excited that the pilot project, called Studio 393,  will become an actual program.  "We know that youth have this reputation of hanging out a lot but when you walk past Studio 393 and you see a group of young people dropping in on dance practises, or creating art exhibits, or just sitting, talking and learning...I think that's really exciting change."

As part of their arts education, participants will develop leadership and job skills.  As well, the participants will be employed by Studio 393 to come up with downtown art installations.

Bob Veruela is the Director of Studio 393.   He says that "Change for the Better's support is further justification and recognition of the role that arts can play in the development of youth in our city."

Graffiti Art Programming artist (CBC)

While Studio 393 is ongoing, it will have a public launch during National Youth Arts Week the week of May 5th.

In additon to Graffiti Art Programming, Siloam Missionand Red Road Lodge also received funding for their programs.

The funds were raised through the Change for the Better program which helps homeless people get off the street and into paid employment. Last fall they hosted an event that involved CEO's sleeping on the streets to raise money. 

All of the content below was taken directly from the GAP website: http://www.graffitigallery.ca/

Graffiti Art Programming Inc. (better known as GAP Inc., Graffiti Gallery and the gallery) is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, at the corner of Higgins Avenue and Gomez Street. Graffiti Art Programming Inc. is a not-for-profit community youth art centre, using art as a tool for community, social, economic and individual growth. It is the only one of its kind in North America for artists of all ages and genres from traditional art, to urban art (including hip hop art, graffiti art, street art), to Aboriginal art, to contemporary art, to performance art.

This site is one of the ways we serve and communicate with the worldwide community of artists, art lovers and artists in the making. Browse and explore to learn about the many community programs we offer youth and their families FREE, as well as the great events we host from live performance art to outstanding art exhibitions. Check out our feature artists’ bios and their art store (currently under construction). Keep in touch with our e-newsletter and calendar; follow us in the media or help support the organization. Questions or ideas for your own art exhibit always welcome!

We are dedicated to:

- the promotion of youth art as its own genre
- providing a place where young artists can take creative risks
- young artists who are working outside institutional expectations
- promoting the early stage developmental benefits of art programming for our young people
- neighborhood beautification and community development through public art
- free art lessons to young people who cannot afford high tuitions and supply costs
- fostering a sense of creative cooperation and self healing

Programs

Graffiti Art Programming Inc. accomplishes its goals/objectives through three core programs designed specifically to address those goals/objectives – the st.ART Project, the Urban Canvas Program and theGraffiti Gallery. The st.Art Project provides a series of free, after school workshops in a variety of art forms (traditional and contemporary) in a safe environment that supports the concept of creative freedom in all its forms and promotes that creativity in as many ways as possible; fostering self esteem, enhanced work ethics and capacity building. The Urban Canvas Program (UCP) provides a year long life skills training program using art as a tool to deliver those life skills; an arts’ cooperative/social enterprise is attached to UCP. The Graffiti Gallery is a contemporary exhibit space for any and all aspiring, emerging young artists.

For more about these programs please see the information under the LEARN link of the website.