Artists Working in Education (AWE) is celebrating its 20-year anniversary by raising funds for a new art studio truck to provide visual art experiences to even more young Milwaukeeans than it already does.
According to Raina Johnson, AWE’s donor stewardship and storytelling manager, the organization has provided – through its Truck Studio Program – arts access to nearly 60,000 local youths in numerous Milwaukee County Parks and playgrounds.
"We pack our truck with art supplies and a team interns at both the high school and college levels gain workforce development skills while doing outreach to the community and interacting with diverse populations," says Johnson.
The drop-in, art-based program is free to youth ages 4 to 14 and focuses on working with kids in Milwaukee’s under-served neighborhoods.
Currently, AWE has a fleet of four vans. The organization aims to raise $7,500 for a truck.
"Another van means will be able to do even more in the community," says Johnson. "And make art a part of everyday life for more people."
Since 1997, AWE has sponsored professional artists to bring creative visual arts experiences directly to schools, community centers and informal settings such as parks, playgrounds, libraries and community events. The Truck Studio program started in 1999.
To donate to the Truck Studio Program, please go here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
