The Art Effect Launches New Initiative for Hudson Valley Youth to Earn Visual And Media Art College Credits While in High School! Learn more here.
Hudson Valley youth will earn college credit for participating in The Art Effect’s visual arts and media programming. In partnership with Dutchess Community College, students enrolled in the ArtsBridge, fall 2023 program will earn college credit, free of cost to students. Click here to apply.
ART 100/ Introductory Visual Art Seminar is an introduction to the visual art programs to academic and career opportunities in the visual arts. Learn all about how to begin creating, preserving and documenting an art portfolio; career opportunities and internships; transfer opportunities; career options; student services; study skills including time management, research, writing, note and test taking, and presentation skills.
Thursdays, 3:30 – 5:00 pm September through December 7, 2023 (1-credit class) Room 129 Poughkeepsie High School, 70 Forbus Street, Poughkeepsie NY 12601.
ArtsBridge, The Art Effect’s college preparatory program for first-generation youth, addresses how to begin creating, preserving, and documenting an art portfolio; career opportunities and internships in the arts; and study skills including time management, research, writing, note and test taking, and presentation skills. With an equity focus, the course also provides SAT prep, one-on-one mentorship, assistance applying for financial and merit-based scholarships, and support applying to colleges and negotiating financial offers. The Art Effect’s partnership with Dutchess Community College allows those youth enrolled in ArtsBridge to earn an introductory visual art seminar college credit focused on academic and career opportunities in the visual arts. Across all of its programs, high school seniors at The Art Effect were offered nearly $1.4 million in scholarships in 2022 to attend colleges or universities.
This spring, twenty-nine seniors are graduating across The Art Effect’s programs and continuing their artistic journeys in college or career. Their achievements in the studio, the gallery, the classroom, and beyond are worth celebrating. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
Not pictured: Nastajia Epps (MVP After School Program), Myelle-Sanai Johnson (MVP After School Program), Jose Marrero (MVP After School Program), Deavin Moore (MVP After School Program), Dayiana Moore (MVP After School Program), Nicholas Regini (Art Institute), Melanie Rodriguez-Velasco (MADLab), Janelle Smith (MADLab)
Samuel Bates
Art Institute
Janae Brown
ArtsBridge, National Art Honor Society
Caleb Clark
Spark Studios
Celia Drury
Art Institute, Senior Project
Shawn Elliott
Spark Studios
Katia Estrada
ArtsBridge, Senior Project, National Art Honor Society
Dalya Hanel Sheshany
Art Institute, National Art Honor Society
Self Portrait, 2020
Gabriel Kladakis
ArtsBridge, National Art Honor Society, Trolley Barn Curatorial Team
The Art Effect is now accepting applications through the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board (DCWIB) for the 2023 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)!
SYEP is a first come first serve program for youth who meet eligibility requirements. SYEP participants can $14.20 per hour for up to 25 hours per week. Please write in The Art Effect and which program you are interested in applying for on the DCWIB application below.
SYEP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ✓ Resident of Dutchess County ✓ Family income being at or below 200% of poverty level ✓ On July 1, 2022, you are between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. ✓ Eligible to work in the U.S. and have proper identification
MADLab (Media, Arts & Design Lab) | July 5 – August 17 Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
MADLab is an arts-based career and skills training program that trains youth in:
Visual art, graphic design, and aesthetic development skills
Creating public art projects with professional artists
Leadership and communication skills through public outreach
Create a mural for the Dutchess Community Empowerment Center as well as public art installations around the Trolley Barn and botanical installations on Pershing Avenue this summer! Youth who complete MADLab earn a wage of $14.20/hr
Spark Studios | July 5 – August 17 Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spark Studios is a media-based career and skills development program that trains youth through community client projects and origional creative film. Training includes::
Video production, camera operation, filmmaking techniques
Working with clients on commercial videos
Video editing software including sound mixing
Create original narrative shorts and Public Service Announcements to be entered into film festivals across the world this summer! Youth who complete Spark Studios earn a wage of $14.20/hr
To apply for summer Spark Studios or MADlab, please submit your application directly to DCWIB:
Original, signed applications may be dropped off or mailed to: DCWorks, 191 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Operating Hours 8:30am to 4:30pm
Learn the art of brainstorming, constructing, and how to design a public art installation to be considered for our 2024 PKX Festival, entitled “Dropping Jewelz”. Make your mark and possibly have your design chosen as the centerpiece for the next PKX Festival.
Please note: The Art Effect’s May Intensive is open to students ages 14-19 who live in Dutchess County.
Students who complete the program will earn a $50 stipend.
The Art Effect’s Media, Art, and Design Lab (MADLab) engages teens ages 14-19 from the City of Poughkeepsie and helps them develop life and workforce skills in the growing arts and media sectors. Through after-school and summer sessions, MADLab youth earn a wage or stipend as they gain competency while learning about visual art, media art, and design careers. Through youth mentorship, on-the-job learning, and access to materials and equipment, MADLab fosters youth development, facilitates academic and workplace performance, and is a catalyst for community engagement and urban renewal in the City of Poughkeepsie including the design of public art installations.
Students work both independently and in teams on various creative prompts to get the most out of this “earn while you learn” mentorship program. Every semester students work on one client project to develop a professional creative portfolio including logo development, resume writing, and graphic design. MADLab youth who have developed advanced skills, are supported in connecting to outside jobs and internships with businesses and organizations to help provide additional early job experiences in our community.
What makes a compelling screenplay? How can you make characters come alive through words alone? How can you structure a story to really impact an audience? In this intensive, participants will learn the art of script and screenwriting including formatting and conventions of the genre in order to generate original scripts that will be considered for production during the summer session of Spark Studios.
Please note: The Art Effect’s Spark Studios May Intensive is open to students ages 14-19 who live in Dutchess County.
Program Dates: 5/16, 5/17, 5/19, 5/23, 5/24, 5/26. Youth who successfully complete all 15 hours of a workforce intensive will earn a $75 stipend!
Spark Studios prepares young people for entry into the Art Institute where they can develop a college film or photography portfolio as well as become employable in a competitive media workforce, including The Art Effect’s advanced program Forge Media. Spark Studios teaches film and media arts to empower youth’s voices, build workforce development skills, provide paid work experience, and help students get on a path to college and career success. Youth in Spark Studios learn filmmaking, photography, and digital media production, and create media projects in teams and for community clients.
Spark Studios students:
Explore cutting-edge media production techniques
Artistic and technical skill building to create creative short films
Student produced original media productions
Develop original scripts and learn screenwriting foundations
Industry exposure
Develop skills, attitude, and competency for college
Intermediate-level youth program skills for entry into the Art Institute (to prepare college film portfolios)
The Art Effect is now accepting applications for the 2023 Spring Break Intensive sessions of its workforce development programs, Spark Studios and MADLab. Students ages 14-19 who live in Dutchess County are welcome to apply. These sessions will address important themes that are relevant to young people’s lives and teach valuable transferrable skills. Students who successfully complete all 25 hours of a workforce intensive will earn a $100 stipend.
MADLab Intensive: Becoming a Professional Artist April 3rd- 7th, 12pm-5pm each day 45 Pershing Avenue, Poughkeepsie Learn how to become a working, exhibiting artist! You will learn how to write an artist statement, prepare your work for sale, navigate making websites and social media brands for your art, and how to starting making money as an artist.
Spark Studios Intensive: Public Art Projection April 3rd-7th, 12pm-5pm each day 489 Main Street, Poughkeepsie (Trolley Barn Gallery) Talk back to media messages! In this intensive, you will work alongside Reel Exposure featured artist William Koenig-Vinicombe to understand media literacy and representation. Decode the ways films have shaped you, then learn to remix and re-edit video and media pieces! Finished videos will be featured in a public projection at Reel Exposure this May!
Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps allow children to imagine, discover, create, and have fun each summer. Young artists explore fine art, digital media art, and performing arts while strengthening their self-confidence, creative thinking, and art making techniques both individually and in a collaborative setting. Professional artists and experienced teachers support hands-on art experimentation with a wide variety of artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, collage, and animation. The pieces created at camp will portray original narratives connecting to each camper’s interests and lives. Finished artwork and performances will be displayed in a final showcase each Friday in an open exhibition setting for campers to share with family and friends. Creativity thrives as campers explore and play!
The Art Effect’s Summer Art Institute (including Junior Art Institute) takes young artists on a deep dive into their chosen medium while building foundational knowledge of techniques, elements and principles of fine or digital art. Intermediate and advanced students will develop and elevate their technical skills to create a dynamic portfolio. High school students interested in pursuing a degree in the arts will meet with college representatives and receive portfolio critiques through each two-week session.
Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 4:30pm Dutchess Community College – Allyn Washington Center for Art & Science, 37 Gallery Circle, Poughkeepsie
Select a major based on the choices below. Each major includes different classes with developmentally-appropriate arts instruction. For more information, click on a two-week session below:
Foundational-level majors are recommended for youth ages 11-15 with little or no previous experience in fine or digital art.
Fine Art Foundations – Learn basic techniques, elements and principles of fine art through drawing, painting, mixed media, and collage. One digital art class is also included.
Digital Art Foundations –Learn essential elements and principles of digital art. Projects include digital painting, drawn animations, and graphic design. One fine art class is also included.
The Portfolio Foundations major is recommended for youth ages 12-16 in high school with introductory experience in fine or digital art, or advanced middle school students.
Portfolio Foundations –Begin to develop a dynamic portfolio in drawing, painting, and digital art while expanding on fundamental drawing and painting skills in both visual and digital arts. Primarily working from observation and reference photos, students will learn composition, color theory, mark-making and narrative illustration. Projects will include still life, landscapes, self-portraits, and more!
Portfolio majors are recommended for intermediate-to-advanced level high school students ages 14-19 with experience in digital or fine art.
Portfolio in Digital Art –Develop a dynamic portfolio while expanding on fundamental digital art skills in mark-making, working with layers, digital character design, animated expressive and narrative shorts, posters and web graphics, and digital composition.
Portfolio in Drawing & Painting – Use drawing, painting, and mixed media to experiment with conceptual works and create work that focuses on a personal vision and voice. Recommended for seniors with college applications on their mind.
Early drop-off available for an additional $25/day Late pick-up available for an additional $25/day Please email cory@thearteffect.org or call 845-471-7477 to schedulean early drop off/late pick up.
Additional Discounts
Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more weeks of camp.
Summer Camp registration for ages 5-10 is NOW OPEN!
Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps allow children to imagine, discover, create, and have fun each summer. Young artists explore fine art, digital media art, and performing arts while strengthening their self-confidence, creative thinking, and art making techniques both individually and in a collaborative setting. Professional artists and experienced teachers support hands-on art experimentation with a wide variety of artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, collage, and animation. The pieces created at camp will portray original narratives connecting to each camper’s interests and lives. Finished artwork and performances will be displayed in a final showcase each Friday in an open exhibition setting for campers to share with family and friends. Creativity thrives as campers explore and play!
Dutchess Arts Camp – Red Hook Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm Parish Hall, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – 7426 S Broadway, Red Hook Week 1: July 10 – July 14 | Nurturing Nature! Week 2: July 17 – July 21 | Music Mayhem!
Early drop-off available for an additional $25/day (no earlier than 8:15 am) Late pick-up available for an additional $25/day (no later than 4:45pm) Please email cory@thearteffect.org or call 845-471-7477 to schedulean early drop off/late pick up.
Additional Discounts
Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more weeks of camp.
The Art Effect’s Summer Art Institute (including Junior Art Institute) takes young artists on a deep dive into their chosen medium while building foundational knowledge of techniques, elements and principles of fine or digital art. Intermediate and advanced students will develop and elevate their technical skills to create a dynamic portfolio. High school students interested in pursuing a degree in the arts will meet with college representatives and receive portfolio critiques through each two-week session.
Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 4:30pm Dutchess Community College – Allyn Washington Center for Art & Science, 37 Gallery Circle, Poughkeepsie
Select a major based on the choices below. Each major includes different classes with developmentally-appropriate arts instruction. For more information, click on a two-week session below:
Foundational-level majors are recommended for youth ages 11-15 with little or no previous experience in fine or digital art.
Fine Art Foundations – Learn basic techniques, elements and principles of fine art through drawing, painting, mixed media, and collage. One digital art class is also included.
Digital Art Foundations –Learn essential elements and principles of digital art. Projects include digital painting, drawn animations, and graphic design. One fine art class is also included.
The Portfolio Foundations major is recommended for youth ages 12-16 in high school with introductory experience in fine or digital art, or advanced middle school students.
Portfolio Foundations –Begin to develop a dynamic portfolio in drawing, painting, and digital art while expanding on fundamental drawing and painting skills in both visual and digital arts. Primarily working from observation and reference photos, students will learn composition, color theory, mark-making and narrative illustration. Projects will include still life, landscapes, self-portraits, and more!
Portfolio majors are recommended for intermediate-to-advanced level high school students ages 14-19 with experience in digital or fine art.
Portfolio in Digital Art –Develop a dynamic portfolio while expanding on fundamental digital art skills in mark-making, working with layers, digital character design, animated expressive and narrative shorts, posters and web graphics, and digital composition.
Portfolio in Drawing & Painting – Use drawing, painting, and mixed media to experiment with conceptual works and create work that focuses on a personal vision and voice. Recommended for seniors with college applications on their mind.
Each morning begins with an all-student body circle up and an inspiration session where teaching artists share stories, personal works, and motivational wisdom. Next, each group works on in-depth projects within their own major, so that there is a cumulative total of 10 hours per week of deep focus work on their own projects. This is followed by an all-group lunch period where students can socialize. Students must provide their own lunch, snacks, and water. Sunscreen recommended. After lunch, there is an all-ages elective block, in which students can select which discipline they would like to explore outside of their major. Possible elective options may include figure drawing, portraiture, and 3D sculpture. More information on electives and selection will take place two weeks prior to the start of the program. Finally, during the last period of the day, the Foundations-level majors select a second elective class for further exploration of a new discipline, while the Portfolio majors dive back into their majors subject.
Early drop-off available for an additional $25/day (no earlier than 8:30am) Late pick-up available for an additional $25/day (no later than 5:15pm) Please email cory@thearteffect.org or call 845-471-7477 to schedulean early drop off/late pick up.
Additional Discounts
Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more weeks of camp.
The Trolley Barn Gallery is seeking new members for the Youth Curatorial Team – who make exhibition curation decisions and are mentored by expert curators and artists in the field of art and museums! The Youth Curatorial Team will be generating the theme and putting out the spring call for entry, as well as installing upcoming exhibitions. Please click here to apply.
Spring 2023 Session: February 8th – June 9th Wednesday – Friday, 3-5:30pm
Trolley Barn Curatorial Team is responsible for:
Theme generation
Art handling
Exhibition installation
Project management
And more!
Applicants will earn a $500 stipend upon completion of the program
