Rockford Area Arts Council (RAAC) is a visual and performing arts apprenticeship program of the Rockford Area Arts Council that provides Rockford youth with job training in the arts. Artist apprentices work in teams under the the guidance of professional teaching artists selected by the Arts Council for their talent and ability to form positive working relationships with young people. Artist apprentices learn valuable skills including attendance, punctuality, positive attitude and productivity which are applicable to future employment. They learn that in order to be successful at their jobs they must practice good teamwork skills; they develop other skills vital to the workplace such as problem solving, teamwork, decision-making, and good communications. Artist apprentices produce art work and performance pieces that are showcased at a year end gallery opening and performance. All money earned from sold art work and tickets sales go directly back to the artist apprentices. The program runs from mid-June to July with a year end performance and gallery opening. ArtsPlace is supported by grants from the the National Endowment for the Arts, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, the Illinois Dept. of Human Services, Target, the Rockford Park District, the Rockford Public Schools and Individual Contributions that allow this program to be offered at no cost.
