Creative Diversion • Mentorship • Apprenticeship
The Program
Program Components
01.
— Storytelling & Narrative Development
Participants learn how to transform personal experiences into compelling stories through writing workshops, reflection exercises, and guided creative expression.
02.
— Filmmaking & Visual Arts
Through the Reel Block Project, participants learn scriptwriting, directing, filming, editing, and visual storytelling techniques.
03.
— Mentorship & Apprenticeship
Professional artists and mentors provide accountability, leadership, creative guidance, and workforce exposure throughout the program.
04.
— Life Skills & Personal Development
Participants engage in workshops focused on communication, teamwork, goal setting, leadership, and career readiness.
05.
— Creative Diversion
Art Not Arms provides a structured alternative to violence through artistic expression, mentorship, emotional development, and community engagement.
06.
— Workforce Pathways
Participants gain exposure to creative industries, entrepreneurship, media production, and apprenticeship opportunities.
6 Week Program Structure
Week 1
Identity & Self-Expression
Participants explore identity, personal experiences, emotional awareness, and self-expression through guided discussions and writing exercises.
Week 2
Storytelling & Personal Narrative
Youth develop storytelling foundations and learn how to shape life experiences into structured narratives and creative writing.
Week 3
Poetry & Spoken Word Performance
Participants build confidence through spoken word workshops, voice training, performance exercises, and creative expression.
Week 4
Visual Storytelling & Filmmaking
Participants learn filmmaking concepts including directing, scriptwriting, filming, editing, and collaborative production.
Week 5
Career Skills, Goal Setting & Purpose
Workshops focus on leadership, teamwork, communication, workforce readiness, and future career pathways.
Week 6
Final Showcase
Participants present spoken word performances, films, and creative projects during a final community showcase event.
Support Art Not Arms
Help provide mentorship, filmmaking equipment, creative workshops, and apprenticeship opportunities for participating youth.
Community support helps Art Not Arms continue creating structured alternatives to violence through creativity, mentorship, emotional development, and workforce readiness.