“Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.” – Leonardo da Vinci

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 [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. By positioning young creatives from the age of 13 to 25 into collaborative, hands-on mentoring through research, practice, implementation, examination [& repeat], we can help foster more fulfilling and sustainable creative careers.

We call this, THE CREATIVE COLLAB | BRONZEVILLE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY MENTOR PROGRAM.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE COLLAB

WE PAY OUR MENTEES & MENTORS IN SUPPORT OF THE CREATIVE ECONOMY!

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. One of the foundational tools for quality and sustainable practices in any creative field is a thoughtful and well-curated portfolio, that becomes a representation of the skills that will position a young artist for success. Whether the goal is higher education or a direct pipeline into the creative economy, our program will help develop these assets, and prepare them for constant curation and updating of their portfolio for any future endeavors. What this looks like in action, is the ability to highlight one's growth via exploratory & culminating experiences. Our program will create exhibition opportunities that showcase our community as an arts, entertainment, & cultural hub while casting a light on the talent that is being cultivated locally. These exhibitions will give the opportunity to not just share visually but also serve as practice on how to engage with their audience, navigate the public arena, and verbalize their process, methodology, and philosophy as a creative.

We know that “Wisconsin’s creative sector supports nearly 90,000 jobs and provides $10.8b in economic value.” [ Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition, wisconsincreates.com/.]. However, those numbers do not always represent a fair value payment to creatives. We have experienced the filtration system of funding, which results in extreme underpayment, a lack of consistency, and equitable economic opportunities for creatives. THE CREATIVE COLLAB | BRONZEVILLE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY MENTOR PROGRAM is a good first step toward a more equitable and robust creative economy that supports and retains the next generation of innovators, changemakers, and great thinkers.

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS

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