Youth Art Team

Youth Art Team brings together students from a variety of backgrounds and life situations to complete exceptional works of art through a process that values student voices in decision-making. The mission is to encourage youth to develop their creative potential, empowering both personal and social change through long-term, intentional relationships and art.

Youth Art Team provides opportunities and removes obstacles so young people from
different backgrounds can create beauty together.

Youth Art Team's innovative approach empowers three teams, about 75 artists, to create
public art projects for hundreds of their peers each year. Their artwork brings new life to
public spaces that are experienced by thousands of people every day.

Most recent past projects the 3,000-square-foot mural "Our Freedom Story" along river in Waterloo, mural panels along the Fourth Street Pedestrian Bridge in Waterloo, titled "Colorful Connection", and a three large-scale murals in the classrooms of the Grout Museum. These projects are examples of the public-facing products of the work of Youth Art Team.

While large-scale public art projects like those listed above are the most visible evidence of Youth Art Team's work, the individualized services provided to our artists make all other work possible - and requires a team of dedicated volunteers. All activities are provided at no cost.

Arts Project Services:
--Provide youth with opportunities for civic engagement through creative expression.
--Develop leadership and other transferable skills through large-scale arts endeavors.
--Build a collaborative, team mentality among a diverse group of young artists through
shared arts experiences.

Individualized Services:
--Match artists with mentors for support with projects, school, & life.
--Offer family crisis care to assist with changes in housing, meals, & transportation.
--Navigate life challenges with artists entering adulthood, focusing on healthy life skills,
completing high school, accessing higher education where feasible, & being ready for
work.

COVID created an urgency for more space; Youth Art Team moved from its previous
location (480 sq. ft.) to the landmark Masonic Temple building (20,000 sq. ft.) in
December 2020, a move that provided new opportunities for programming and
collaborations with a growing number of organizations.