Youth Programs

Las Artes, Arts & Education Center

Las Artes offers a unique learning environment for youth ages 17-21. Structured classroom study combined with community art projects allow students to prepare for general education development

(GED) testing, and build employability skills by participating in community art projects. Las Artes graduates make a positive transition into the workplace and have greater opportunities for sustainable employment with an education and marketable job skills.

Las Artes, a program of the Pima County Community Services, Employment and Training Department at 23 W. 27th St. in South Tucson, combines structured classroom study with community art projects to prepare students for GED testing and to build their employability skills.  Here is a video that tells the Las Artes story.

Student Services
Students benefit emotionally, financially and academically from support on a variety of related issues ranging from language barriers, anger management, legal intervention, or child care. Qualified Case Managers coach and counsel students to overcome issues that keep them from succeeding in the classroom.

Curriculum
Students are required to complete basic education courses and an eight-week community art project.

Las Artes administers a placement assessment (TABE) to match students with the level of education most advantageous to their needs. There are two levels of basic education, Level I and Level II, plus the community art project. The entire program takes up to thirty-two weeks if a student enters at Level I, basic education. Students attend class Monday through Friday, 30 hours a week. The aim is to blend the best of classroom instruction with a hands-on project in our small-class, personal-attention environment where students are encouraged to learn and excel.

Earn while you Learn
Hardships hinder a student's ability to attend school. Las Artes pays students a weekly incentive to offset the cost of transportation, clothing and school supplies. As an added incentive, students may be eligible for bonuses based on attendance and academic requirements of the program.

Art Projects
Magnificent mosaic art murals created by Las Artes students beautify neighborhoods, libraries, and other public buildings throughout Pima County. Through an eight-week project, students receive valuable on-the-job training and exercises promoting team building, punctuality, community involvement and self confidence which are all essential to developing a strong work ethic. Plus, students gain a sense of pride and accomplishment through this community connection.

On October 11, 2012 the UA BioPark Wall Project, created by Las Artes students was unveiled.

Enrollment
Youth must complete an application and take a basic academic assessment to determine placement level for Las Artes.

For more information please contact us at (520) 243-5050 or EWest@csd.pima.gov