Collection: Young Artist Movement (YAM)
Young Artist Movement (YAM) is an arts education and workforce development program that beautifies neighborhoods and connects youth to their communities through public art and placemaking. YAM was founded in 2016 by a collective of youth advocates, artists, and educators to provide transformative job and educational opportunities for local creative youth. At the heart of our work is the power of community, collaboration, and the capacity for young people to imagine and inspire positive change.
YAM works with community organizations and clients to research, design, and install high-quality artwork that is rooted in the spirit and culture of New Orleans. In all of our projects, talented youth learn transferable art and design, entrepreneurial, digital literacy, and leadership skills through a paid job. Our process for creating public art often includes historical research into under-told stories and themes, community design charettes to inform the design, and paint days and celebrations that bring together intergenerational community members.