Artists For Humanity

Artists for Humanity began with the audacious idea that urban youth could provide a valuable service to their communities through artistic enterprise.  That was 18 years ago.  Today AFH, a Boston-based initiative, is a national model for enriching the lives of youth through the commercial application of their artistic training.  AFH's core innovation is the Youth-Run Arts Micro-Enterprise - paid apprenticeships where talented young individuals team with professional artisans to work on commissioned projects.  Unlike other job or arts programs, these young adults (most are between 14 and 18) have "skin in the game".  They are directly engaged in client negotiations and see the commercial impact of their work.  Achievements and highlights include:

* Low Income Youth - AFH provides arts and business services to approximately 1200 youth per year, about 85% from low or very low income families.

* LEED Platinum EpiCenter - AFH operates one of the nation's most energy efficient buildings, it's Art For Humanity EpiCenter, which was Boston's first LEED Platinum rated building, and an unprecedented achievement for sustainable design in urban arts education.

* Urban Media - Outdoor media campaigns display messages via large murals designed and painted by  AFH graffiti artists on 100 percent legal wall spaces in high-traffic urban locations.