Artists For Humanity (“AFH”)

For over three decades, Artists For Humanity has provided thousands of young students with the tools, skills, and professional network they need to thrive in the art world— especially geered towards youth with systemically low access to class mobility and the fine arts. In 1991, Susan Rodgerson founded AFH as a small, after-school program offering art and business opportunities to a group of teenagers in her art studio upon acknowledging the lack of arts and entrepreneurial experiences available for many systemically marginalized children in Boston. Today, the AFH non-profit provides a safe and supportive environment where teens are implored to explore their voice and forge their unique path to success. These teens go forward to transcend economic, racial and social divisions to transform communities through creative expression.

During their time at AFH, teens share their voice through public art, where their creativity is valued by the local community. In corporate partnerships, AFH teens provide creative services to businesses, in collaboration with studio mentors, while developing an understanding of business and entrepreneurship for potential career pathways. Through mentorship, the next generation of artists and leaders gain confidence in their own abilities to support themselves through art and transcend class barriers. More simply put: through creativity, comes equity for all.

City

Boston

Country

United States

Region

N. America

Year of Creation

1991

Featured Project

AFH Co-Lab

AFH Co-Lab shares the AFH Model and creative studio access with schools during the day, facilitating collaborations with school teachers on their work to promote advanced skills development in industrial design, digital media and experiential learning in STEM+Arts (STEAM), all within AFH’s context of community engagement, youth leadership, and building equity. The program provides young people with the opportunity for hands-on learning in the arts, working alongside AFH’s team of industry artist and designer mentors to complete projects that will be featured in their school or their community.

AFH Co-Lab

Resources

Artists For Humanity, “Alumni Stories: ‘Where Are They Now?’.” Medium, 10 Aug. 2023, https://medium.com/alumni-series-where-are-they-now/alumni-stories-where-are-they-now-72815f408c1b.

“Artists for Humanity EpiCenter Expansion.” Buro Happold, https://www.burohappold.com/projects/artists-for-humanity-epicenter-expansion/.

“Episode 7: Pioneering Youth Entrepreneurship & Sustainability.” Creative Minds Out Loud (podcast), Hosted by Mass Cultural Council, 24 Mar. 2016, https://creativemindsoutloud.org/episode-7-pioneering-youth-entrepreneurship-sustainability/.

Gottlieb, Jed. “Artists for Humanity celebrates 30 years of nurturing creativity in Boston.” Boston Herald, 4 May 2022, https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/05/14/bhr-l-artist-0514/.

Rodgerson, Susan. “TEDxBoston – Susan Rodgerson – Artists for Humanity,” Uploaded by TEDx Talks to YouTube, TED, 13 Aug. 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kADGZW-PIJg.

Ruhalter, Kana and Arun Rath. “Artists for Humanity is empowering Boston youth through art.” All Things Considered, GBH, 16 Sep. 2024, https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2024-09-16/artists-for-humanity-is-empowering-boston-youth-through-art.

Segel, Mimi Wishner and Shira Stoll. “Artists for Humanity helps young creatives craft their futures.” NBC Boston, 21 Aug. 2024, https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/artists-for-humanity-helps-young-creatives-craft-their-futures/3466371/.

Wasylak, Victoria. “No Hype Fest returns to Artists For Humanity for fourth edition.” Vanyaland, 22 Aug. 2024, https://vanyaland.com/2024/08/22/no-hype-fest-returns-to-artists-for-humanity-for-fourth-edition/.

More Information

afhboston.org

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