Women's Giving Circle Grant Empowers ART/Works! Internship Program

Martha Sandven

Maggie Smith, U of A mentor, and ART/Works! interns Draven Fields, Bug Nesbitt, Sophia Condray, Maren Park, Syveria Hull and Valeria Salto stand outside of the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on Feb. 20, 2023.

The Faulkner Performing Arts Center and the Center for Children and Youth are collaborating on ART/Works!, a job-training platform in the visual and performing arts, with pilot program support provided by the Women's Giving Circle. This weekend, there will be more hands on deck for the U of A Department of Music's SHE Festival, a celebration and concert series being held at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.

Six students from Fayetteville High School started the 60-hour training program on Feb. 13, meeting with mentors from the community and receiving instruction from college students and professionals alike. All of the students are veterans of The Breakfast Club arts integration program, which started in 2015 at Ramay Junior High and received a Governor's Arts Award in 2020. "Since 2015 when I first met with leaders in Fayetteville Public Schools about arts integration for disconnected youth, I had hoped for a job-training component. The Women's Giving Circle could see what I did: give kids meaningful job training that connects to their creativity, and they will thrive. ART/Works! is a logical and powerful extension of the after-school program," says Martha Sandven, founder of The Breakfast Club arts integration program at Ramay Junior High and Fayetteville High.

Breakfast Club veterans are moving easily between works of art and the art of work. "People always told me that having connections is good in a field of work ... having done this program for just a short period of time, I can tell it's true. I already have connections at The Faulkner Center, so I might be doing a job there after this internship," says Bug, a high school senior. "Knowing the things that the internship is teaching me makes it so much less stressful to go into the technical field as a lighting designer."

Maggie Smith, a U of A senior who is a double major in International Global Studies and Theatre Performance, is bringing her skills as a photographer and mentor to the program. "The opportunity to get to watch and connect with young artists brings me joy and hope. This program is unlike any other because it supports young artists in their endeavors, rather than forcing them to conform to more traditional offerings."

One aspect of the internship is the creation of collaborative works of art to celebrate diversity and showcase individuals in Northwest Arkansas who contribute to the cultural richness of the area. Interns have conducted interviews with faculty and student performers and taken portrait photographs of them. These will be presented in a gallery display during the SHE Festival. "Speaking with someone who is bilingual helped me learn more about them and get into the real emotion of issues around women and music. When you get to speak in your own language, you can express your ideas and feelings with more freedom," says Valeria Salto, ART/Works! intern, regarding her interview with professor Catalina Ortega.

ART/Works! interns were crew members for the Aubrey Logan concert on Feb. 24. Faulkner Performing Arts Center Director and program lead, Nicole Leachman, is thrilled about the program. "We are excited to provide the space and opportunity for students in the community to develop much-needed job skills. We are grateful for the initial seed funds from the Women's Giving Circle. We hope to attract more support, so we can expand this internship and contribute to the workforce in our region while lifting up students who might not otherwise have such opportunities."

Sophia Condray, FHS junior, cannot wait to do more technical theatre work. She is very thankful for the opportunity provided by the Women's Giving Circle. "From my days in Breakfast Club, I learned that I can be open and share my creativity with other people who also share ideas through art and theatre. We're a strong team, and I believe that we have something awesome to share with our community and someday, hopefully, the world."

Interns will work on the crew and house management of SHE Festival performances on Sunday, March 12. There will be a reception at 5 p.m. featuring art created and curated by the ART/Works! interns along with refreshments for artists, musicians and guests. All are welcome. Find a complete schedule of SHE Festival activities.