South Broadway Art Project

Founded in 2006 and incorporated as a non-profit in 2007, South Broadway Art Project provides free opportunities for girls and young women ages 10-18 through GAP Girls Apprentieship Project as well affordable programming for all young people and adults at Open Workshop. SBAP's community-centered programming provides a link between the impact of our social bonds and creative experiences and how we can meet the economic needs of our community through affordable and free arts-based programs. SBAP has consciously set out to create a new model of community agency, creating a studio culture that values creativity and experimentation, while putting girls and women, children and families at the center of community volunteerism, development and revitalization.

Through GAP Girls Apprenticeship Project we are putting girls and young women ages 10-18 at the center of a more "girl- centric" way of learning how to enhance their own lives and community through art while also becoming apprentices, leaders, activists, and future entrepreneurs. The purpose of GAP Girls Apprenticeship Project is to empowHER and teach girls and young women ages 10-18 how to become "change makers" and "thought leaders" through apprenticeship in the arts. GAP currently offers studio experiences in pottery as well as sewing and design. With the "Whole Girl" approach, GAP participants overcome adversity, perceive opportunity, develop self-confidence, make ethical decisions and healthy life choices, thrive academically, embrace leadership, and have the ability to enter middle school, high school, college or the workforce as fully prepared and connected adults. GAP Girls Apprenticeships are offered in Pottery, Sewing and Design. All girls in the program are also able to become young entrepreneurs by participating in our Pop-Up Shop Suitcase Workshops where they will make their own portable small business in a suitcase that can be taken to local events, festivals, fairs and beyond!

At community-centered Pottery Open Workshop, instruction is available when people of all ages want or need to learn. We allow students to grow at their own pace whether their goal is a specific technique, piece or just learning about clay and having a new experience. We encourage students to bring their, kids, friends, mom, sister, neighbors, and co-workers.
The capacity of people to act together on shared goals promotes developing ties on a cultural level. These creative connections serve our community well by investing in students of all ages especially young people as it spreads to their own families, friends, houses, streets, schools, futures and beyond which promotes healthy living and vibrant neighborhoods. Providing resources to include people of all ages as meaningful contributors also brings more adults, parents, and volunteers into the equation. The social and economic aspects of arts-based community building must not be overlooked and cannot be left to schools and parents alone.