The Why

Visual Art is the way out of poverty for talented teens in new orleans.

ONLY 5 of 30 public high schools in New Orleans offer advanced Visual Art courses.

There are exceptionally talented students at EVERY New Orleans public high school. They stand out. You can spot them surrounded by a crowd of onlooking peers as they draw a classmate’s portrait during lunch. Or by the sketchbook they carry everywhere and as they doodle through history class. They have the capacity to create sophisticated portfolios with a distinct artistic voice, which can translate into significant scholarships to prestigious art colleges and post-secondary professional opportunities.

The What

Sketch Basin Provides …

Sophisticated, rigorous, and transformative studio art classes and professional opportunities for students with little or no access. Talented teens from public charter high schools around the city will be gathered into a student-run gallery collective, forming  a supportive community of young artists. Each individual in the group will produce, curate and exhibit their own artwork, resulting in a portfolio which demonstrates a distinct creative voice. We identify our students in 8th or 9th grade and support them throughout high school. Through our distinct partnerships, students are mentored by art professors and creative professionals around New Orleans. They also have the opportunity to earn college studio art credits, engage in a paid professional internship, and receive college application support.