Arts for Learning Miami (A4L) is thrilled to announce a generous $250,000 grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust to support its transformative ArtWorks Internship Program for High School Students. This funding will help provide meaningful, paid arts internships for 75 high school students, enabling them to explore their creativity, develop essential life skills, and prepare for their futures.
Since its inception in 2012, the ArtWorks program has become one of the nation’s largest arts-focused internships for high school students. The program’s impact extends far beyond artistic development, fostering financial literacy, career readiness, and community building among a diverse cohort of young creatives. With this critical support from the Kenan Charitable Trust, A4L will continue to empower Miami’s youth to reach new heights in their personal and professional journeys.
“The Kenan Trust’s remarkable generosity ensures that ArtWorks can continue to inspire and uplift Miami’s youth,” said Ivy Bennett, Program Director for ArtWorks. “This funding allows us to provide not only hands-on arts education but also essential life skills, such as financial literacy, college advisement, and professional development, all in a safe, inclusive, and creative environment.”
The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, founded in 1966, is dedicated to enhancing lives through education, innovation, and equity. By partnering with organizations that align with its mission, the Trust seeks to create opportunities for underserved communities and promote transformative change.
“The Kenan Charitable Trust is committed to supporting initiatives that uplift and inspire individuals through education and the arts,” said Nancy J. Cable, Executive Director of the Kenan Charitable Trust. “The ArtWorks program embodies this mission by providing young people with the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams while fostering a deeper connection to their communities. We are proud to partner with Arts for Learning Miami to continue this vital work.”
Through the ArtWorks program, interns are immersed in six weeks of creative exploration across disciplines including visual arts, dance/theater, creative writing/film, animation, architecture, and music production. Under the mentorship of professional artists, interns develop and showcase their own projects, gaining invaluable experience in collaboration, time management, and problem-solving.
The program also includes personalized college and career advisement, financial literacy workshops, and networking opportunities for interns to connect with community leaders from various industries. These experiences enable interns to chart clear pathways for their futures and cultivate confidence in their abilities.
Applications for the 2025 summer ArtWorks program are open through April 16th. For more information, visit www.a4lmiami.org.
About Arts for Learning
Arts for Learning (A4L) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through the arts. As a leading source of arts programs in Miami, A4L provides traditional and arts-integrated instruction, student studio programs, after-school and summer programs, high school internships, and teacher and artist professional development. A4L’s programs augment cognitive, social, and emotional development and wellbeing in children and youth. The programs also develop creativity, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills, as well as promote positive peer relations and cultivate self-efficacy. A4L partners with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and Young Audiences – A4L’s national affiliate. A4L also serves as the South Florida Wolf Trap, a regional program of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning. Annually, A4L’s services are delivered to more than 5,000 children and youth in more than 60 schools, preschools, after-school programs, and summer camps throughout Miami-Dade.
www.a4lmiami.org
About the Trust
The mission of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, a New York perpetual trust based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is to empower human potential through education and whole community investment. The Trust’s grantmaking is generally centered in the four states of Florida, New York, North Carolina and Virginia. To learn more about the Kenan Trust, visit kenancharitabletrust.org.