THE PROGRAM
Art Not Arms is a 6–12 week court diversion and creative apprenticeship program for young men ages 13–18. Participants engage in structured workshops, mentorship, and hands-on creative projects.
Program Components:
Art Not Arms is a 6–12 week court diversion and creative apprenticeship program for young men ages 13–18. Participants engage in structured workshops, mentorship, and hands-on creative projects.
Storytelling & Narrative Development:
Youth learn to transform personal experiences into compelling stories.
Filmmaking & Visual Arts:
Through the Reel Block Project, participants learn writing, directing, filming, and editing.
Mentorship & Apprenticeship:
One-on-one and group mentorship with professional artists provides guidance, accountability, and skill development.
Life Skills & Personal Development:
Workshops include goal setting, teamwork, communication, and career readiness.
By program completion, participants produce tangible creative work (performances, films, written pieces), gain mentorship experience, and fulfill diversion requirements while building pathways to education or employment in creative fields.
6 Week Program Structure
Creative Diversion + Apprenticeship Program
Extended Apprenticeship Opprtunity:
Participants may continue for additional weeks gaining deeper mentorship, advanced creative skills, and portfolio development
Week 1
Identity & Self-Expression
Week 2
Storytelling & Personal Narrative
Week 3
Poetry & Spoken Word Performance
Week 4
Visual Storytelling & Filmmaking
Week 5
Career Skills, Goal Setting & Purpose
Week 6
Final Showcase:
Performances & Film Presentations