Originally an outreach program of the Museum of Modern Art, The Children's Art Carnival (CAC) in Harlem has existed as an independent community school for the past 26 years. CAC enriches the lives of inner-city youth through the use of visual and communication arts. Faculty believe creative thinking is a necessary ingredient of intellectual development. Theme-based arts activities draw on collage, puppetry, 3-D construction, painting, ceramics, photography, videography, cartooning, illustration, drama, textile design, computer graphics and other media. CAC programs include in-school, after-school and Saturday programs for youth, teacher training workshops and parent advocacy. After-school programs, for youth ages 4-7, 8-13 and 14-21, take place at the CAC. Summer programs, for children ages 4-7 and 8-13, incorporate arts activities into local park programs. Apprenticeship training and employment experience is provided for youth ages 14-21. Class instructors are professional artists who also help participants gain exposure to career options. CAC's strength lies in the partnerships it forms with city institutions. A relationship with North General Hospital resulted in the sale of 33 paintings from the advanced painting and collage class. The Children's Clinic of the Hospital commissioned a series of soft sculptures from an after-school arts workshop. Organizations such as the Studio Museum of Harlem, the Schomburg Center for the Study of Black Life and Culture, the New York Urban League and others arrange summer apprenticeships and jobs for CAC students.