Creative’s Making Impact By Lifting Other Creatives w/ The Creative Collab | Bronzeville Artist-in-Residency Mentor Program

Creative’s Making Impact By Lifting Other Creatives w/ The Creative Collab | Bronzeville Artist-in-Residency Mentor Program

[A mentoring-focused Artist-in-Residency program that connects youth with a professional creative]

Creativity is best cultivated through collaboration. However, opportunities for creative collaboration can be sparse depending on age, locality, and personal network. Statistically, we know that “28% of surveyed Milwaukee-based creatives are strongly considering relocating to another city due to a lack of creative opportunities, jobs, and support here” [Imagine MKE, 2023]. Retention of talent [cultivated locally] will always be a problem unless we address it intentionally, constantly, & economically supported.

Under the leadership of Jazale’s Art Studio, Vedales Art Studio [Vedale Hill], and /CW Creative Studios + Shop [Owned by CopyWrite, Magazine, Media & Design, Lexi S. Brunson] we have cultivated the collaborative means to propel many creative career paths while navigating Milwaukee’s economic & opportunity disparities in the creative sector. From fine arts to media, fashion to performance, and all the intersectional practices of creative entrepreneurship in between, we have found a methodology that can help creatives excel in their personal and professional goals.

Today, we launch THE CREATIVE COLLAB | BRONZEVILLE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY MENTOR PROGRAM is a mentoring-focused Artist-in-Residency program that connects youth with a professional creative. Each youth participant will have access to mentors across the creative spectrum in their area of interest. Participants will be immersed in a diverse creative environment, where they will witness everyday practices of creative professionalism, methods of creative production, problem-solving, the proper methods of documentation, and how best to utilize their specific skill sets. This program will provide mentors & mentees stipends to emphasize the value of creative practice while navigating the economic necessities of a quality & sustainable practice.

MAGE BY COPYWRITE MAGAZINE VIA /CW SUMMER HIGH SCOOL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE | VISITING MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM -DERICK ADAMS, OUR TIME TOGETHER EXIBIT

“We have to understand that creative success directly correlates with access to resources & a creative network. A big piece of that narrative is funding.  An artist should no longer be asked to starve. I know I don’t starve well! If we can help young creatives understand their value to society, while giving them the professional tools to navigate this industry, then as a community we all will reap the reward”, said Vedale Hill. 

“Collectively, we have sat in rooms that have had the social capital and funding force that could fortify the creative industry in Milwaukee. However, time & time again, some people refuse to educate themselves on how creative talent enhances a communities cultural identity, promotes economic growth, and improves overall quality of life. If we take creatives out of the equation, there is no success in any industry. We want the next generation to have better opportunities than we have. So here we are attempting to do the right thing for all the right reasons. We hope that our community can support that in an active way”. - noted Lexi S. Brunson.

IMAGE BY COPYWRITE MAGAZINE VIA /CW SUMMER HIGH SCOOL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE | BEQUEST YOUTH LED FASHION EXPERIENCE AT /CW CREATIVE STUDIOS

As of today, May 16th, 2025, THE CREATIVE COLLAB | BRONZEVILLE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY MENTOR PROGRAM applications are now live. Qualified applicants include Creatives 13-25, who are Milwaukee County residents, are enrolled in middle school, high school, or a post-secondary educational institution, with proof of exemplary creative skill sets. Financial needs are highly considered. Spring/Summer 2025 Cohort pre-screened participants will be notified of their acceptance via email by May 20th, 2025. Other applicants will be notified if they are accepted to a cohort on a rolling basis.

Special thanks to The Brewers Community Foundation for helping us pilot the program with their sponsorship contribution. We are still looking for additional funding sponsors for 2025 cohorts to further THE CREATIVE COLLAB's capacity, mentoring opportunities, and communal impact. [All sponsorships are tax deductible through Jazale's Art Studio's 501C Status]. If you are interested, please contact us at jazalesartstudio.org@gmail.com | copywrite.mke@gmail.com, Attn: The Creative Collab 

Want to be a part of our communal impact? Please consider donating at:

For Press inquiries, interviews, and other media-related requests, please contact Lexi S. Brunson, Editor-in-Chief of CopyWrite Magazine, at: Copywrite.mke@gmail.com 

/CW