Saying YES to arts and entrepreneurship: Newark CBO GlassRoots expands Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) program for fall semester
Newark, NJ—The local glass arts education studio, GlassRoots, is expanding its Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) program by adding local glass artists who will lead courses for the fall semester. The YES program, one of many offered by GlassRoots, teaches artmaking and the fundamentals of business development to high school students.
GlassRoots Program Manager Michelle Knox explained that the program was expanded to engage the broader community of glassmakers from the tri-state area. The expansion allows glass-making students to see the full scope of opportunities within the field.
“There's a rich glass-making history and heritage in our surrounding areas that we haven’t taken advantage of,” Knox said. “So by expanding the program to include local teaching professional artists, we’re able to bring added perspectives to the students in a changing format.”
The rich history of glass-making in this area has even greater significance when considering the impacts the program can have on the larger youth workforce development ecosystem in Newark. Last year, GlassRoots became a member of the Newark Youth Workforce Collaborative, a collective impact approach to creating a school-to-workforce pipeline. The backbone of the Collaborative, Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN), works to support its partner programs with data, strategy and fundraising.
NOYN Chief Program Officer Jasmine Joseph-Forman said, “The work that GlassRoots is doing is a perfect example of how to incorporate the arts into a broader workforce development strategy. Young people in the program will be able to gain exposure to a unique postsecondary pathway through the working professionals that are teaching them. We’re proud to have GlassRoots as part of our Collaborative.”
Not only will the YES program teach students about the intersection of business and art, but it will also uncover the economic impact of artmaking alongside the recognition of Newark’s vibrant history and opportunities. According to Knox, GlassRoots considers itself lucky to be a part of the acknowledgment and strengthening of Newark’s roots.
“I think the program is going to bring a real focus on the fact that art isn't necessarily just for fun or pleasure. Art has an economic impact [on] our community,” said Knox. “So I think that this will highlight a level of professionalism that's happening inside of our particular studio but that resonates through the broader recognition of Newark as an industry hub, and a place for innovation, creativity and the arts.”
Students within the YES program will learn glassblowing, flamework and fusing. The business aspect of the program will focus on marketing and sales. According to Knox, students will take high-resolution photographs, create a business plan and utilize platforms such as Etsy and Shopify.
“I hope students take away…a purpose of self so that they realize that they can literally dream up an idea and turn it into a real product or process or business,” said Knox. “[I hope they] understand the steps that go into the labor involved, the thought process involved, and be able to take their ideas to market.”
The YES program is open to all high schoolers across New Jersey. Newark teens can attend classes for free and the fee for non-Newark teens is $800 each semester. GlassRoots is also developing a “robust” scholarship fund for its various programs in the coming year to ensure equity and accessibility, according to Knox. Those interested in applying for the program can visit the link below: https://www.glassroots.org/youth-entrepreneurial-spirit-yes.html.
