GALLERY ANNOUNCES NEW ‘YOUTH ARTS LABORATORY’

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie proudly announces the launch of a new program, the Youth Arts Laboratory, which sees 3 young participants ages 13-17 engaged in arts activities in a professional gallery setting.

With the new program, the Gallery aims to inspire, empower, and challenge each participant.  Executive Director Jeff Erbach is excited about the outcomes. “This is a really extraordinary opportunity for young people to develop and hone their skills under professional guidance and in a real world setting.  Each participant is contracted and remunerated for their time, so it’s like a series of internships where they each can select the types of projects they’d like to work on.”

By creating an opportunity for young people to receive mentorship on projects at a professional organization, the Gallery is developing future leaders through the Arts.  By example, one of the arts projects for youth involves the unpacking and installation of a professional art exhibition.  The work can be delicate, expensive and complex, which instructs participants on creative problem solving and diligence.  Other projects include work with the Gallery Permanent Collection, marketing and promotion of the program, developing arts learning programs, and more.

Participant Grace Larson, from Composite High School, is eager to get going. “The Youth Arts Laboratory is a unique program that I’m excited to be a part of! I’m looking forward to developing my own professional skills through the arts”.

Participants in the program include Grace Larson, Mia Cook and Sophie Picard.  The program wraps up on April 1, 2019 and is supported by ATB Financial, Prairie Mall and Grande Prairie Rotary Club.