Union Project

THE UNION PROJECT USES THE ARTS TO BRIDGE GAPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES.

CERAMICS STUDIOUP'S COMMUNITY CERAMICS PROGRAM CREATES CONNECTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING THROUGH A COMMUNITY-BASED CERAMIC STUDIO INTENDED TO SERVE THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, FROM FIRST-TIME STUDENTS TO EMERGING ARTISTS. UP'S CERAMICS PROGRAM SUPPORTS LOCAL EMERGING ARTISTS VIA AN AFFORDABLE MEMBERSHIP WHERE MEMBERS CAN BUILD THEIR SKILLS AND RESUME (BY TEACHING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS TO YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND ADULTS) IN EXCHANGE FOR USE OF ITS FULLY EQUIPPED STUDIO. UP ALSO OFFERS PAID TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL ARTISTS. MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS OFFERED VIA UP'S COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND CAN PARTICIPATE IN UP'S EDUCATION PROGRAM TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE.

SPACE RENTAL PROGRAMMINGTHE GOAL OF SPACE RENTAL AT UP IS TO OPTIMIZE USE OF ITS SPACE BY THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE, AND JUST COMMUNITY. USING AN AFFORDABLE PRICING STRATEGY AND MARKETING SUPPORT (VIA WEBSITE, MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS, AND QUARTERLY POSTCARDS/FLIERS), UP INCUBATES NEW IDEAS, ENTREPRENEURS, SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS, AND COMMUNITY CLASSES SO THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN LEARN NEW SKILLS, INTERACT WITH DIVERSE RESIDENTS, BUILD SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND BECOME MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT LONG-TERM. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE VIA HOURLY, MONTHLY, AND/OR ANNUAL RENTAL. HOURLY SPACE RENTAL OFFERS THREE DISTINCT SPACES (THE GREAT HALL, ATRIUM, AND BOARD ROOM) TO HOST ALL MANNER OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC EVENTS - FROM PERFORMANCES TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO WEDDINGS. MONTHLY RENTAL OFFERS ACCESSIBLE SPACE OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY CLASS INSTRUCTORS TO GROW THEIR CLASS/WORKSHOPS ON A REGULAR BASIS. ANNUAL RENTAL OFFERS AFFORDABLE OFFICES TO GRASS ROOTS INDIVIDUALS AND NICHE SERVICE PROVIDERS, ALL OF WHICH OPERATE IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT.

ARTS EDUCATIONUP'S CERAMICS STUDIO MODEL OFFERS MORE THAN 70 PROGRAMS ANNUALLY, BOTH ON SITE AND OFF, INCLUDING CERAMICS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, BRINGING PROGRAMMING INTO CLASSROOMS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND CUSTOM PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. UP HOSTS A YOUTH APPRENTICE PROGRAM WHICH PAIRS YOUNG ARTISTS WITH EMERGING AND PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS VIA UP'S CERAMICS MEMBERSHIP, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM, AND VISITING ARTIST PROGRAM TO SHARE NEW IDEAS AND SKILLS AND TO INSPIRE STUDENTS TO CONSIDER PURSUING A CREATIVE CAREER AND OFFERING A PATHWAY TO DO SO.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMSUP'S COMMUNITY PROGRAMS BUILD CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS THAT BRIDGE THE ARTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE SECTORS TO BROADEN VIEWS WHILE CREATING DIALOGUE ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIALLY DRIVEN ARTWORK. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THIS AREA IS TO CREATE GREATER EMPATHY BETWEEN PEOPLE AND BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR SHIFTING SOCIAL PATTERNS THAT CREATE LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL, EMERGING, AND EVEN COMMUNITY-MADE ART, WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING HIGH QUALITY ART AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES. ANNUAL EVENTS IN THIS PROGRAM AREA INCLUDE THE HIGHLAND PARK POTTERY TOUR (A HOLIDAY SALE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD POTTERS) AND THE MOTHER OF ALL POTTERY SALES (FEATURING 30+ ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE REGION). ARTISTS ARE ALSO SUPPORTED THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, STIPENDS, MARKETING SUPPORT, SALES OPPORTUNITIES, AND AFFORDABLE STUDIO SPACE. THE VISITING ARTIST PROGRAM BRINGS REGIONAL AND NATIONALLY KNOWN ARTISTS, WORKSHOPS FOR K-12 STUDENTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE. THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM OFFERS EMERGING ARTISTS 6-12-MONTH OPPORTUNITIES TO HONE THEIR CRAFT, CREATE WORK, AND ACT AS A RESOURCE TO MEMBERS. UP OFFERS AFFORDABLE PRIVATE STUDIO SPACES TO ARTISTS OF ALL MEDIA AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SELL THEIR WORK VIA SEVERAL UP EVENTS AND AN ON-LINE STORE.