Summer Arts classes in Santa Fe

SFAI’s Youth Education and Outreach programs

We provide artists of all ages opportunities to engage the public with their work and spaces in which to develop it.

One of the most important aspects of SFAI’s mission is our commitment to education, and our belief that children are more likely to succeed when exposed to art. We believe that all children, no matter who they are, or where they come from, deserve a chance to express themselves through art.

At SFAI, we are working to bring the arts into the classroom, and into the streets to provide a sense of ownership and community pride among New Mexico’s youth. We work inside our neighborhood schools, at the Santa Fe Emergency Youth Shelter, and the Youth Diagnostic and Development Center in Albuquerque to extend our reach to as many young people
as possible.

SFAI’s mission is to promote art as a positive social force, and that includes Santa Fe’s youth community. Many of the kids for whom we provide programming would otherwise have limited or no access to the arts. We provide programs inside and outside of school, in the community and throughout the summer to help youth discover their world through the arts, while building self esteem, encouraging teamwork and helping develop critical thinking.

- Nicole Davis, SFAI Youth Education & Outreach Program

La Otra Puerta emergency shelter (YSFS)

The Santa Fe Art Institute has leading weekly art programs at the El Otra Puerta Emergency Youth Shelter since 2001. The shelter accepts youth who are homeless and/ or runaways, at risk of abuse or neglect, referred by children’s court, and those who are transitioning between residential programs. Each week the students focus on a new creative project. Using collage, drawing, painting, and spoken word, this weekly workshop recognizes how important a self-reflective art practice is to young people especially during the most difficult times. SFAI also provides a healthy dinner with each art program.