Working Classroom, Inc.
212 Gold SWAlbuquerqueNM87102
505-242-9267505-243-3289

Program: Working Classroom, Inc. Year Started: 1987 Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts Youth Served: 85 Ages:9-21 Budget: $175,000 Working Classroom, Inc. is dedicated to promoting self-esteem and the artistic, academic and leadership potential of youth. It offers visual arts, theater and creative-writing workshops for "historically ignored" inner-city communities in Albuquerque and encourages youth to apply their talents to community development and social change. Year-round visual arts and drama workshops, which run for 6-8 weeks and are taught in both Spanish and English, are offered free-of-charge to low-income students and adults. Community projects have included tile and painted murals; The Rubber Band, a tragicomedy about AIDS, which took 2 years to prepare; and production of a line of printed holiday cards. Working Classroom is member-based, although workshops are open to everyone. Membership is free and based on "points," which are earned through attending Working ClassroomĖs after-school tutoring program, attending cultural and artistic events, achieving a grade point average of at least 3.0, donating time to Working Classroom or other community organizations and participating in social action activities or campaigns. Those who earn 200 points receive general membership and can both vote for and be on the Board of Directors (40 percent of whom are students). Those who earn 500 points are eligible for VIP membership, full college scholarships and priority consideration for paid employment, travel (sometimes to Central America) and other special opportunities.