Imagine
a go-to resource for counselors, teachers, parents, and students to connect to the world of professional design... a “really cool” program that attracts smart, talented, and highly-motivated public school kids with artistic interest... a community of mentors who look forward to meeting their new design intern each summer...9 years and over 87 students inspired to pursue careers in the creative arts...this is YOUTH DESIGN!
Brief Background
Youth Design is a leading Boston based nonprofit organization that is focused on addressing critical socioeconomic needs of urban youth by teaching them highly marketable design skills, providing access to unparalleled professional mentors, and supporting them along the path toward higher education. The organization is the vision of Denise Korn, Principal of Korn Design, a nationally recognized brand strategy and design firm with offices in Boston and New York. Since 2003, Youth Design has been helping to shape the next generation of diverse design professionals through aggressive educational and workforce development initiatives set in the context of design while promoting diversity in the creative economy.
Education is a prerequisite for economic self-sufficiency, personal growth and development, and responsible citizenship. Youth Design targets urban high school students attending Boston Public Schools. The organization’s priorities are consistent in helping urban youth obtain the essential skills required to compete in the 21st-century. These are skills they will need today to ensure their economic self-sufficiency tomorrow. Successful partnerships and strong collaborations with more than 13 Boston Public high schools, Greater Boston area design mentoring firms, local and national design professionals, public and private foundations, individual donors, and volunteers make it possible for talented, creative high school students to participate in Youth Design. For eight years Youth Design operated as a volunteer-led and driven organization under the governance of AIGA (the professional association for design). The organization has operated as an independent 501© 3 since 2011.
