Juxtaposition Arts

The Future Starts Here

Vision

Juxtaposition Arts envisions the youth of North Minneapolis entering the creative workforce as dynamic innovators and problem solvers with the confidence, skills and connections they need to accomplish their educational and professional goals, and to contribute to the revitalization of the communities where they live and work.

Mission

Juxtaposition Arts develops community by engaging and employing young urban artists in hands-on education initiatives that create pathways to self-sufficiency while actualizing creative power.

Approach

We combine design education and youth empowerment with a social-enterprise business model. Students begin with visual-arts literacy training and then have opportunities to be employed while learning and teaching professional design, production and marketing skills in one of five social-enterprise studios that produce high-quality design products and services for sale to local and national customers

Values

We believe the integrative problem-solving abilities learned through the hands on creative process of moving from idea, to production, to market are exactly the skills young people need to succeed in school, in work, and in life.

Moreover, we believe sustained participation in community-focused creative expression powerfully advances the development of individuals, communities, and places. At Juxtaposition Arts we strive to:

• • Affirm the creative potential and ideas of each person
• • Emphasize the importance of discipline, study and practice
• • Respect and understand the contributions of those who have come before us
• • Include diverse individuals and groups in relevant ways
• • Model integrity in individual and organizational leadership
• • Demonstrate successful and ethical business practices
• • Expect and achieve high standards in everything we do

Juxtaposition Arts

LEVERAGING OUR CREATIVE ASSETS

Art Education & Jobs for Youth and New Cultural Resources in North Minneapolis

Since 1995, Juxtapositon Arts has given a creative leg up to youth who are often considered disadvanted . We provide hands on education and jobs experiences where youth work side by side with adult artist mentors, as creators, innovators and diverse problem solvers. Building on a commitment to nurture and develop the creative genius of our cities most underserved youth, JXTA's 2010-2016 strategic roadmap seeks to support urban young artists along a pathway to access the Twin Cities vibrant creative economy - to engage, employ, and then deploy young people into the world as scholars, artists, architects, planners, designers, business owners, and active community members, who design and produce unique cultural products and services and inhabit vibrant destination places in the North Minneapolis community where we are rooted.

YOUTH ARTS EDUCATION & JOBS

Visual Arts Literacy Training

New students begin in our afterschool Visual Arts Literacy Training program. Taught by accomplished adult artists VALT provides comprehensive hands-on arts learning for youth 8-21 years old. Students may participate in VALT over multiple years or use the training program as a pathway to employment in one of our apprenticeship studios. The program is FREE to youth participants with priority given to young people who live, go to school, or are otherwise connected to North Minneapolis. Sessions are 8 - 10 weeks and begin in October, February, and June.

Creative Social Enterprise Studios

Once students reach a satisfactory level of mastery (after approx. 72 hrs) in VALT they may apply for a year round paid position as an artist apprentice in the Graphic Design, Textile Design, Environmental Design, Photography, or Painting/Drawing Studio. In The Studios, young artists continue along a path of creative growth and excellence as they fill orders for custom t-shirts and apparel items, logo, flyer and poster designs, unique original artworks, live art demos for events, photo documentation services, and innovative environmental art installations.

Young artists who maintain consistent involvement in Juxtaposition Arts' education, employment, and mentorship program will develop their artistic portfolios and build their resumes and will also be supported to apply to college, start their own businesses, or secure work in a creative industry field.

Young artists who maintain consistent involvement in Juxtaposition Arts' education, employment, and mentorship program will develop their artistic portfolios and build their resumes and will also be supported to apply to college, start their own businesses, or secure work in a creative industry field.

GET INVOLVED

Contact Us at (612) 588-1148

Or email info@juxtaposition.org

If you are between the ages of 8-21 with a passion for visual arts and would like to develop your artistic talents, be paid for your creative work, and/or use your skills as a pathway for future success contact us to get an application for VALT & set up an entrance interview!

Are you a college-age student or practicing artist with a passion for visual arts and would like to develop your artistic talents, be paid for your creative work, and/or use your skills as a pathway for future success contact us to get an application for VALT & set up an entrance interview!

Corporations, local residents, area businesses, schools, neighborhood organizations, restaurants, hospitals, foundations hire us! Bring Juxtaposition Artists in to conduct a residency with your students. Contract us for your design and art jobs. We're the cities' premiere one-stop shop for all your visual art and design needs. You can expect quality, innovation & competitive pricing.