JOHN HEINTZMAN

One of the most unique and collaborative arts programs in central Illinois is the Mentor Arts Program (MAP), an academic program open to youth throughout our community at the Peoria Art Guild. This year, 14 students from five high schools are participating.

In the 1990s, the Illinois Arts Council was undergoing rapid change in its efforts to increase the cultural base receiving state funds from its own granting programs. One new monetary source was put into place to assist arts organizations to reach underserved and at-risk students through arts programming that would give young artists skills to successfully and confidently apply to colleges and universities — and to have successful careers in the arts through unique studio experiences.

The late Susie Best and I served on the Peoria Art Guild Board at the time and applied for these funds through a grant using mentorship and academic studio experiences for students throughout central Illinois to participate in a college-level course. The Mentor Arts Program came to be as we successfully received monies to fund the initial year. This program introduced students to various disciplines that they would not have typically had access to in the traditional classroom setting.

The first years we canvassed high schools through their art teachers to nominate juniors and seniors who they thought would best benefit from this program. After a portfolio review and interview, students attended an 18-week arts apprenticeship course that offered some of those opportunities were not otherwise available in traditional academics. The goal was for these young artists to learn about technique, process, curation and portfolio development. The end result was put on display with an exhibition of their efforts from the semester.

In the beginning

To bring the programming to fruition, Susie Best, my brother Jeff, and myself approached local artists to introduce students to various media and disciplines. We recognized that in the public school sector, budgets were limited to the simplest mediums relative to cost: Painting, drawing and ceramics met the Illinois State Goals for Learning in the Visual Arts particularly in public schools. Our inaugural roster of artists included Ann E. Coulter, Cathie Crawford, Bill Conger, Ann Conver and Heather Wachendorf. These mentors set the expectations high for successful outcomes for our students as they presented them with studio experiences that would introduce them to creative challenges they would remember forever. The first two years, four MAP students received scholarships for artistic excellence to attend Bradley University. All went on to continue to study art or art education in college.

Due to factors beyond the control of the Art Guild, there was a decade-long lapse before director Shannon Cox resurrected MAP opportunities for students. Aligning the program with the Guild’s strong dedication to community collaboration and enrichment, MAP has again become a vital opportunity for youth to immerse themselves in artistic studies and creative projects that will assist them in building confidence and acquiring the tools to make them better artists.

New life

From that beginning, we have moved to increase not only the disciplines that we offer, but also employ a new stable of artists like Heather Brammeier, Nana Ekow, Alex Carmona, Liz Barnes, Tyler Brandon, Robert Rowe, Laurie Moore, Jeremie Draper, Jennie Hawkey and Nikki Wheeler. Students delve deep into learning about both traditional and non-traditional disciplines like printmaking, painting, sculpture, small metals, fiber art, ceramics, book arts and glass blowing. They have the opportunity and option to utilize the studios to hone their skills and complete their work. Like their mentors, their sources of inspiration are varied, but each student explores and experiments with materials that best allow them to express themselves.

The success of MAP relies on the investment dedicated to make it viable. Alumni have continued their education at Illinois Central College, Bradley, Illinois State University, the University of Illinois, The School of the Art Institute and Savannah School of Art. MAP students have the opportunity to volunteer in the community, to take on leadership responsibilities for programs at, for example, East Bluff Community Center Arts Camps and Illinois Humanities Council programming held in conjunction with the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and most recently, to be the coordinator for the upcoming Arts and Music Camp, which is a collaboration with the Art Guild, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Past graduates also serve as liaisons for the current MAP members.

Initial funding came from the Illinois Arts Council, but with the respect that the program has gained from the community, others have given us opportunities to continue networking with generous individuals and institutions. PAG board members Gary Rafool and Rich Zuckerman have offered scholarships for students to participate in MAP. And for the past three years, PNC Bank has been our major underwriter to guarantee that students will be able to engage and enrich their artistic endeavors through this remarkable program. Coupled with support from the Illinois Arts Council’s annual programming grant, the Mentor Arts Programs continues to provide each young artist with a scholarship.

In July, MAP will host its own exhibition in the galleries at the Peoria Art Guild. It will be a culmination of their interaction with local artists/mentors since January. Opening reception will be held in conjunction with the PAG’s First Friday event from 5-9 p.m. July 7.

Please join us in celebrating our talented youth.