Youth Public Arts Project

The Youth Public Arts Project is Emerge’s longest running outreach program. Started in 2005, this is a bi-weekly program, where at-risk youth come to the arts council to work with professional artists and musicians to create various public art projects and learn about the rich heritage of African American music. The public art is then displayed throughout the community. The goal of the program is for youth to have a positive impact on their community, to express themselves through the arts, and to build teamwork, social, and interpersonal skills through the arts. The project is targeted towards youth from 8-17 years of age who show an interest in the creative arts. All participants must be referred to the program by school counselors, teachers, school social workers, court counselors, private therapists, or other community professionals.

• Past projects include murals at the Drew Steele Center, murals for the Humane Society, planter and bench projects, mural on the previous Taff Building, Evans Street Fence, mural along Merchant’s alley, banner designs for Greenville Area Transit, and many others.
• This project is a $30,000+ project, funded through Bank of America, grant funding, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.

How can you help? We are always looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor lunches for the Saturday’s that we meet. Please contact paula@pittcountyarts.org if you are interested!

Art is Good Medicine

Art is Good Medicine is an Arts in Healthcare program in partnership with local healthcare providers such as Vidant Health. Professional visual artists and dancers work with adult and pediatric cancer patients and survivors. By bringing artistic aspects into the lives of these patients, survivors, caregivers and family members, this program helps to provide a holistic approach for coping by engaging their mind, body, and health for overall well-being.

• A professional artist and student social worker visit the children’s hospital and 1East at Vidant to work one-on-one with patients and their family as well as in support group settings.
• Free workshops are offered twice a month to anyone affected by cancer, including patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members. Even though workshops are free, pre-registration is required due to limited supplies and space. Click here to view the current schedule. The addition of these workshops was made possible through a grant awarded by Livestrong.
• Weekly classes take place at the McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge cultivating community among guests whom have traveled to Greenville from all over eastern North Carolina to receive various cancer treatments at Vidant.
• This is a $30,000 program, funded by corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and partnerships with Vidant Health and the McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge.
• In 2014-2015, the Pitt County Arts Council was awarded the opportunity to host Pablove Shutterbugs, a Program of the Pablove Foundation, made possible by Livestrong. The program was a free five week-program for youth diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives to develop their creative voice through the art of photography.

View Adult Art is Good Medicine Workshop Schedule