LOOK! Youth are the Future

Young artists and their mentors need YOUR help to achieve their creative visions, including the youth participant quoted above. Thank you for playing an integral role in keeping the arts alive and further educating the next generation of artists. 

Will you donate to support youth in learning essential lifelong skills, expressing themselves creatively, and building meaningful community?

Albany Center Gallery believes youth are the future. Please join us in raising $10,000 to support LOOK! Youth Art Programs. These funds help cover artist mentor stipends, art supplies, and other critical program expenses that have led to over 20 art workshops, 300+ youth served, and 13 collaborating partners in the past year.
LOOK! Youth Art Programming teaches young individuals how to hone their creative skills and use their voices in a dynamic, welcoming space. A student participant shared, “I got to draw out a vision I had in my head… this is my first time at a workshop… it was cool to try out my ideas”. In addition to connecting with artist mentors and ACG staff, youth also foster connections with their peers and create friendships across neighborhoods and schools.

Please submit your donation by Thursday, July 10, 2025 to be acknowledged in this campaign.

DONATE SECURELY ONLINE HERE or you can mail a check to "Albany Center Gallery" at 488 Broadway, Suite 107, Albany, NY 12207 with "LOOK! Youth Programs" in the memo.

Without your contributions, Albany Center Gallery cannot sustain this valuable art programming. These programs are only possible because they are wholly supported by you and the foundational funds received. Regarding the programs, one parent shared that “My daughter has not stopped talking about her experience…Thanks again for being an amazing part of the community!” A vast majority of these programs provide free art supplies (encouraging youth to make art whenever and wherever), as well as free books AND free meals. Together, we bolster the local creative economy and ensure artists (AND aspiring young artists) have the resources they need to succeed. With investment and support, they can reach their full potential, adding vibrancy throughout the community as they grow.
 
ACG facilitates a large range of youth programming. This includes artist mentors visiting schools to host workshops, creating murals, and forming connections among students and teachers. Additionally, organizations ask ACG to host arts programming for them in Art.Work.Space. Since the opening of Art.Work.Space, over 40 workshops have been held, ranging in diverse mediums from painting and collaging to creative expression through intuitive movement. ACG strives to host more of these art opportunities as interest is constantly increasing.
 
Your contributions directly support the local community through stipends to artist mentors. Local artists receive compensation for their time and talent in creating diverse workshops. A recent artist mentor shared, "I was blown away by the thoughtfulness and care that went into the setting for the youth workshop I led. From the goody bags, to the healthy snacks, to the inspiring music and atmosphere, I can't think of a better space to invite others in to create freely… ACG made it a seamless, wonderful experience for me and for the students!”
 
With more art everywhere, the result is a higher demand and increased acceptance of an artfully vibrant Greater Capital Region. These programs can only persist if our friends step forward with the shared belief in the importance of creativity. On behalf of the young emerging artists and local mentors you’d be aiding, thank you for considering this request.

Donate here

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