SMART (Supportive Mentoring Through ART) is a year-long program in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana for youth ages 12-18 with a strong interest in art. Each year, 16 youth and their mentors work one-on-one with professional artists in classes at the Art Center. Classes introduce students to art history and varied techniques in drawing, painting and sculpture, focusing on a central “concept” that challenges the participants to reflect on their lives, environment, and experiences. After completing a full year of classes each student is awarded a certificate of completion and a scholarship to continue their art education at the Art Center for a full year.

Every winter SMART students and mentors participate in an exhibition at a location out in the community to celebrate their artistic accomplishments and individual growth.

Visit the Art Center’s Flickr page for photos of the 5th Annual SMART Exhibition at the Service Center for Contemporary Culture and Community in 2011

Major funding of this program provided by the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Foundation. Other sponsors include:

This program offered in partnership with: