Between 1997 and 2003, the Community Design Center managed an innovative youth employment program, through inkind services and direct funding. This year's program employed fifteen 14-18 year-old "art aoorentices" during an eight-week period working in the Findlay Market area of Over-the-Rhine. Four teams of apprentices, each directed by a graduate student from the UCDAAP School of Art, and working with neighborhood artists (Robert O'Neal, Toylyn O'neal) created artwork such as banners, tiled tables, a sclupture, and a community quilt to improve environmental aspects and remove blight throughout the district. This was conducted in collaboration with the city's current program to revitalize Findlay Market. In addition to providing summer employment program and training to area youth, the program is intented to provide "ownership" of the district revitalization for the community's youth and families.

This program was made possible through a unique collaboration between UC, the City of Cincinnati (Office of Economic Development Department), the Citizen's Committee on Youth, and Impact Over-the-Rhine, and benefited from endorsements and involvement from a steering committee including members of the Over-the-Rhine Community Council, the Friends of Findlay, and others. A college spring quarter academic art studio course preceeded the summer program and was focused on mentoring community youth through the arts. The project received substantial funding from the Ohio Arts Council.

1997
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1999
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2001
2002
2003