City of Kalamazoo Department of Recreation, Leisure and Cultural Services
234 W. Cedar StreetKalamazooMI49007616-337-8191616-552-6457

Program: Fine Arts Skills Enhancement Program Year Started: 1990 Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts Youth Served: 85 Ages: 12-13 Budget: $64,000 The Fine Arts Skills Enhancement Program of the City of Kalamazoo's Department of Recreation, Leisure and Cultural Services recruits disadvantaged youth from the city's three middle schools to participate in an after-school arts program. The Program runs 2 days a week for 10 weeks during both the fall and spring semesters in local schools and arts institutions, with transportation available for classes conducted off school grounds. Taught by professional artists, students select from classes in photography, dance, theater, drawing, painting, ceramics, weaving and videography, with each class culminating in an end-of-the-semester performance or exhibition. The Program has received an Innovative Programming Award from the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association. Before the City of Kalamazoo supported the Program, local foundations funded a 3-year pilot program. The impact of the funding transition is not yet fully apparent.