Quad Cities Chamber recently issued the following announcement.
Community arts projects for the 2018 Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program are underway. This year’s program – the largest in several years - includes three public murals, a photography studio, and an improv comedy troupe. This expansion of Metro Arts reflects a current initiative by Quad City Arts to broaden the reach of its educational and outreach programs.
For the 19th year of the popular community art program, 49 apprentices and five professional artists are creating five public art projects around the Quad Cities. These paid apprenticeships allow young artists to build professional and artistic skills while making their community a more enriching place to live.
All mural sites are open to the public, and media are invited to schedule a visit. Generally, groups work 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday until July 13. Murals are currently in various stages of completion, though all show significant progress.
Community members are invited to attend a public showcase at The Establishment Theatre on Thursday, July 12. Guests are invited to arrive beginning at 5:30pm, with a program beginning at 6:00pm. The program will feature photos of the mural projects, displays of photographs taken by the photography group, and a performance by the improv troupe.
Quad City Arts is appreciative of the generous funders that make Metro Arts possible, including Genesis Health Systems, the City of Rock Island, Modern Woodmen Foundation, John Deere Foundation, the City of Bettendorf, and the Illinois Arts Council. Additional sponsorships and project support are provided by K & K Hardware, the Davenport Public Library, the Establishment Theatre, the Figge Art Museum, the Davenport School District, and the Creative Arts Academy.
2018 Public Art Projects:
Mural – K & K Hardware, Bettendorf
Lead Artist: Colleen Tomlinson
Mural – Douglas Park, Rock Island
Lead Artist: Heidi Sallows
Mural – Genesis East Campus South Parking Ramp, Davenport
Lead Artist: Sarah Robb
Photography Studio – Various Locations
Lead Artist: Clint Balsar
August exhibits include Cool Beanz Coffee House, The Black Box Theatre, Quad City Botanical Center, and CoworkQC.
Improv Comedy – The Establishment Theatre
Lead Artist: Patrick Adamson
Performance include the Moline Library, the Rock Island Library, and Davenport Junior Theatre.
About the Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program
Since the summer of 2000, Metro Arts has provided area youth 15-21 years old with paid summer
apprenticeships in various arts disciplines. For five weeks, area youth work together in groups to
complete projects that enhance the community through the arts. Participants learn the artistic techniques
and applications of their art form while developing the professional and personal skills that propel them
into successful careers.
Program Contacts
To schedule interviews, videography, or photography, contact Community Arts Director Tyson Danner at
tdanner@quadcityarts.com or 309-793-1213, ext. 102.
About Quad City Arts
Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City
region through the arts. All Quad City Arts programs are funded in part by Festival of Trees, Quad City
Arts Partners, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency.
Original source can be found here.
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