Something powerful happens when you give at-risk youth a chance to create public artwork. They find a positive way to express themselves. They feel more connected to their peers and communities. And they gain real-world skills that prepare them for the future.

At ArtWorks, our goal is to empower young people with professional opportunities in the arts. Since 1995, our programs have fostered a new sense of self-esteem, self-motivation and self-sufficiency for more than 2,000 youth through pre-employment training and subsidized employment.

Our group was originally founded to help the SODO Business Association clean up the busway in Seattle’s industrial zone. The plan was to create vibrant murals that would enrich the surroundings and discourage graffiti and litter. It was such a success, this area is now known as the SODO Urban Art Corridor.

This notable collaboration of private and public partners facilitated the creation of ArtWorks—an arts program uniquely able to reach out to at-risk youth while enriching our communities. The scope of our work has expanded far beyond the Art Corridor. Today, we create murals for schools, businesses and parks throughout the city—and we’ve added a wealth of new opportunities for young people to get involved with the arts and move their lives in a positive direction.

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