Tim Rollins and Kids of Survival (KOS)
526 W. 26th Street, Studio 906BronxNY10001718-542-5303

Program: Tim Rollins and Kids of Survival (KOS) Year Started: 1981 Focus: Visual Arts Youth Served: 12 Ages: 10-18 Tim Rollins and his Kids of Survival (KOS) are in high demand. The President's Inaugural Committee commissioned a poster commemorating the 52nd Presidential Inaugural, and National Endowment for the Arts Chair Jane Alexander recently visited youth in their New York studio. Rollins' program is based on an intensive mentoring relationship with youth, particularly those with special-education needs. Through rigorous visual arts training, exhibitions and immersion in world art history, students prepare themselves for long-term involvement in the arts and education. Art studios in the Bronx and Manhattan serve as instruction sites for after-school, weekend and summer programs. Youth attend studio classes as often as 15 hours each week. Field trips to museums, galleries and site-specific art projects augment the classes. Earned income from the sale of participantsĖ work contributes significantly to the programĖs financial independence. "KOS offers an alternative family format when so often male relationships are relegated to street gangs," says Rollins. "Our all-male group has a close-knit relationship and the active approval of the community." All of the current KOS young people are completing high school and are preparing for college. Five former students are now in college, and two have had professional exhibitions.