What Is ARTSY?

Arts for Youth Network, also known as ARTSY, is a network of professionals providing opportunities for Arts in Residential and Therapeutic Settings with Youth.  ARTSY is composed of art therapists, artists, art instructors and other professionals who provide artistic opportunities for youth. Since 1997 art professionals have met to arrange an annual Therapeutic Youth Art Exhibition. Children ages 3-19, from agencies in Missouri and Illinois create art to be displayed in the annual show. 
As a network, we have 3 goals:

1. Educating and sharing information with the broader community about the children we serve and the importance of art in their lives
2. Promoting an annual art exhibition and providing opportunities for youth to express and  learn about themselves through the visual arts
3. Providing professional support and development for members

ARTSY’s first goal is achieved by sharing information with the community about our agencies, how art empowers children to grow individually and socially, and how one might develop a similar program in their area. Our second goal is achieved by organizing an annual show featuring the artwork of the youth we work with. We typically collect over 100 pieces of artwork from over 80 artists and 10 agencies. Our final goal is achieved by meeting as a group at agencies throughout the St. Louis Metro area.  We share ideas, learn about one another’s jobs, and foster a common bond.

The art shows focuses on 5 key goals:

​Fostering awareness to the public about the children we work with

• Providing the children with the opportunity for expression
• Developing and strengthening self esteem
• acting as a positive reinforcement
• art production is a healthy way to release energy

In addition to creating art for the show, the children are also given the opportunity to participate alongside art professionals in a youth mentorship position. Various positions are advertised such as: youth curator, youth poster designer, youth invitation designer, and docent.  The youth are encouraged to apply for a position by writing a letter and sending in artwork.  The ARTSY network reads the letters, votes, and assigns the child to a position.  All children who apply are assigned a position and are awarded with art supplies for their participation. The artwork is not judged and all children who provide artwork receive a certificate of participation. 
The mentorship opportunities provide a wonderful experience for children in several ways:

• Having the opportunity to work within a professional setting 
  
• Experiencing a job in the arts first hand
  
• Boosting their self esteem
  
• Encouraging their own dedication to the arts