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Artist: Young Artist Movement (YAM)
YAM primarily serves young people of color, ages 14-22, who demonstrate creative passion. Youth work closely with professional artist mentors who provide insight into the creative process, teach techniques, and ensure artistic excellence. Our young artists have created inspiring and thought-provoking murals, sculptures, digital projections, and more. In every project, our goal is to:
Cultivate young people’s sense of belonging and connection to their community as they transform public spaces through beautiful art and express their voices in a positive way.
Promote socio-emotional wellbeing through a caring and creative environment.
Teach youth tangible professional and entrepreneurial skills that expand their future job and educational prospects.
Building on the success of our program, a key focus is serving youth who have been impacted by the juvenile legal system. YAM is currently the only arts-based diversion program being offered through the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office. The YAM diversion program is an alternative to prosecution and incarceration that draws on the healing and restorative qualities of artistic expression.