NCMA Outreach: The Artist Innovation Mentorship Program

Experience original artworks by middle school–aged students from across North Carolina in this exhibition that celebrates their creative processes. These young artists from 15 counties participated in 40 residencies of the Artist Innovation Mentorship Program (AIM), the NCMA’s signature statewide outreach program.

The outreach programs of the North Carolina Museum of Art foster the learning that happens when artists work directly with young people. NCMA AIM provides funding and organizational support for creative after-school workshops for middle school–age youth in rural communities statewide. Young artists learn new techniques and flex their creative problem-solving skills as they work with artists in their own communities.

Since AIM’s inception in fall 2021, 89 regional artists have provided a total of 42,606 hours of arts-based learning experiences to 2,367 youth. The program has supported over 175 residencies in 36 counties, with residencies impacting over 16,000 community members through related exhibitions, festivals, and events statewide.