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Art 180
Art 180 aims to provide opportunities for young people who lack the resources to creative
expression and turn lives 180 degrees.
Last Revised 02/05/2018
By Tiffany Srivilay
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Background:
Richmond lacks the opportunities and resources for young people to express their creativity,
build relationships, and develop necessary social skills. Art 180 aims to provide those resources
for the suffering youth in Richmond. Through programs, events, and community engagement,
Art 180 is able to be that creative outlet for children in challenging circumstances. Many of
Richmond’s young people have been exposed to violence, poverty, abuse, or live with an
intellectual or physical disability. Art 180 promises to provide a safe space for youth to express
themselves through an art-related program. These programs can help turn their lives around180
degrees.
Current Situation:
According to the 2010 census, 18% of Richmond’s population is younger than 18.
Unfortunately, these kids are not receiving the creative outlet that is vital to them. In today’s
world, skills such as teamwork, creative thinking, and conflict resolution are necessities when
succeeding.
Art 180 holds a number of programs for kids to explore their creativity. Each program offers
relationship building between an artist and a small group of young people. Each project is
custom designed depending on the artist’s interests, the group’s interest, and the site. Some
programs include:
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Atlas Program
The Atlas Program focuses on the teenage age group (ages 13-18). Free classes are
offered each week and are on a first come, first serve basis. Some activities include
poetry & painting, drawing, and performing arts. This art center is located at 114 W.
Marshall. Most programs are 8 weeks at a time, however, anyone can sign up for any
class.
Youth Self-Advocacy Through Art program
This program focuses on working with incarcerated youth to build leadership skills, a
creative outlet to share their experiences, and encourages community development.
During the summer, artists will collaboratively produce mobile exhibits and media
campaigns with these young people. Their goal is to raise awareness and spark dialogue
about the alternatives, causes, and effects of the school-to-prison pipeline. Juvenile
prisons cost tax payers nearly $135,000 per child annually. Most incarcerated youth are
between the ages of 8 and 15.
Community Programs
Community based programs partner with an organization in the community. These
programs offer opportunities that are not typically available. Young people are able to
participate in these programs to seek support from counselors, staff and experienced
workers. To learn more about these programs, click here.
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In addition to the programs, events are often held to showcase art, provide a space for discussion,
or to learn more about a certain topic. Previous events include:
Holiday Market – an exhibition where guests could shop the art produced by these young
people
Juvenile Justice Parade – a parade to raise awareness of youth affected by school-to-
prison pipeline
The Amazing Dream – an annual campaign to celebrate supporters and volunteers
To learn more about current events, click here.
Pictured above are some of the Art 180 students. Open Studio highlights visual and performance
art projects by young people throughout the city. All are welcome to the Open Studios to support
and celebrate the art of these young artists.
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This picture was taken during Richmond’s First Fridays, a monthly event in the art district
promoting local businesses. This event is an opportunity for young artists to share their poetry,
music, dance, and art to the public. “Every First Friday we open our doors and share the latest
youth art exhibition at Atlas, our gallery in Richmond’s Arts and Cultural District” said Resource
Development Manager of Art 180, Trey Hartt.
Students in the art programs are able to express their creativity in a larger scale. During the
warmer months, youth art students can contribute to a mural in Richmond. The public can view
their art through exhibitions, open studios, or even around Richmond through murals.
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Art 180 focuses on the development of incarcerated youth in Richmond. Showcased above are
images drawn by these students to raise awareness and spark dialogue amongst Richmond’s
troubled youth. “Guide us, don’t criminalize us” is a statement used often throughout the Youth
Self-Advocacy Through Art program.
Art 180 was a finalist in the National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Awards. In 2012 and
2013, Art 180 was voted “Best Arts Nonprofit” by Richmond Magazine.
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Future Implications:
In addition to the programs and events, Art 180 partners with local nonprofits to create
community engagement and aid children throughout Richmond. Through this partnership, Art
180 and the nonprofits are able to serve children in challenging circumstances.
6PIC (Six Points Innovation Center) is another art center focused on teens. 6PIC was created
collectively with ART 180, Groundwork RVA, Saving Our Youth, and Storefront for
Community Design – all nonprofits within Richmond’s community. This newly renovated
facility will house programs in:
Arts (performance, murals, etc.)
Public history and media
Education assistance
Urban ecology
Advocacy
This art center encourages the revitalization of the community in collaboration with nonprofits.
To learn more, click here.
About us:
Art 180 focuses on being the creative outlet for young people throughout the city of Richmond.
Through art-related programs, Art 180 aims to create a safe environment for young people to
express their creativity. For nearly 20 years, the programs offered has helped young people
facing violent environments, community poverty, substance abuse and other challenging
situations. Most after school activities can become a financial burden on families or simply lack
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quality in their programs. Throughout the years, Art 180 has served thousands of young people
in creating a brighter and safer community. “We are writers, musicians, poets, dancers, and
everyday people working to create change through art.” (Art 180)
Links and References:
Mailing address & phone number:
ART 180
114 W. Marshall St.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 233-4180
Links to further information can be found below:
Art 180 Website
Art 180 Instagram
Art 180 Twitter
Art 180 Facebook
Questions and concerns can be submitted on the website here. If you know your extension, you
can email them directly at:
Marlene Paul, Executive Director — [email protected]
Nicole Jones, Donor Relations Director — [email protected]
Taekia Glass, Program Director - [email protected]
Sydni Ham, Communications Manager - [email protected]
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Sources:
Anderson, Tom. “Partner Highlight – Art 180.” It4Causes,
https://www.it4causes.org/partner-highlight-art-180/. Accessed 5 Feb. 2018.
Na, Na. “Art 180 | Facebook.” Facebook, 9 Jan. 2018, https://www.facebook.com/ART180/.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2018.
Na, Na. “Art_180 | Instagram.” Instagram, 31. Jan 2018, https://www.instagram.com/art_180/.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2018.
Na, Na. “Art 180 | Twitter.” Twitter feed, 4 Feb. 2018, https://twitter.com/art180. Accessed 5
Feb. 2018.
Na, Na. “Performing Statistics.” Performing Statistics, http://www.performingstatistics.org/the-
project. Accessed 5 Feb. 2018.
Na, Na. “Welcome to Art180 | Art180.” Art180, 15 Jan. 2018, www.art180.org/. Accessed 5 Feb.
2018.
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