Put Me On The Map

Organization: Arts Street

Grant Round: Workforce Innovation I

Program’s Objectives: The “Put Me On the Map” program of Arts Street trains digitally savvy young adults in Visual Informatics. The program creates a new generation of skilled and creative local workers that can collect, interpret and communicate data, from scientific research to community information, for the purpose of educating and informing the general public. This training program combines the arts and sciences to address the need for a creative workforce, and to challenge the imagination of Colorado’s youth who often drop out of school because they don’t see a connection between school and life. Trainees are given a mixture of skills that form the basis for interactive media: Web design and programming, video production and publishing, and GIS Mapping. Students hone their technical skills and project management abilities by participating in high profile community service projects for government and non-profit organizations, which can lead them to a corporate job or result in an entrepreneurial business. 

Individuals Served: To date, 63 youth and young adults have been served. 20 youth ages 16-18 were involved in an intensive three-week project of Video Mapping to ignite their interests in Information Technologies. 43 young adults received training classes in one of the three focused technology areas, and are now engaged in client projects in Visual Informatics.

Success Story: Many agencies and organizations have contacted Arts Street to have Visual Informatics students participate in their projects. These can be seen at http://www.visualinformatics.org/opportunities.html. 

Quote: “Our students learn best through hands-on real world experiences. When project challenges are supported by skills training and mentoring, appropriate resources and up-to-date technologies, students invariably succeed; and that leads to a well-prepared workforce and a better society.”
-- Stella Yu, Executive Director, Arts Street

Collaborators: Emily Griffith Opportunity School, Career Education Center Middle College, Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, Denver Workforce Development, Denver Office of Economic Development, Boy Scouts of America Denver Area Council, Merrick Engineering, Alice 105.9, HRS Waters, DenverGov.org, Denver Mayor’s Office for Education and Children, University of Colorado Health Science Center Integrated Nutrition Program, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Chicano Humanities and Arts Council, Global Health Connections, Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Green Chair Marketing, Fusion Box, Bean Stalk Marketing, Colorado Council on the Arts, Open Street Map, CWB 2 TV, and Denver Open Media.