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Y <br /> Proposed Uses of Grant Funds and Project Description <br /> FRANK Gallery Karen Youth Art Group <br /> The FRANK Gallery Karen Outreach initiative has been operating for over six <br /> months.During this time the artist members and community volunteers have worked on a <br /> 1:1 basis with young Karen refugee students in the fields of photography,drawing and <br /> painting.The Karen Outreach Coordinator Fran Hamer transports the students to each <br /> weekly class.We have been meeting at both FRANK Gallery and at the Transplanting <br /> Traditions Farm where many of the students assist their parents on their allotments - both <br /> venues are important to the students. <br /> During these six months the students,ages 16-23,have been prolific enough to <br /> produce work for two exhibitions- one at FRANK Gallery and another currently at the <br /> Carrboro Branch Library.These shows aim to help raise the students' self esteem.They <br /> have named their group the Karen Youth Art Group.The Group is both highly motivated <br /> and talented and we are hoping that two of its students will be able to attend the Arts <br /> Center Summer School on scholarships while,of course,remaining in the KYAG. <br /> In its incubation phase,we are requesting OCAG funding to enable us to continue <br /> our projects during the coming year.We wish to purchase art materials and continue <br /> encouraging this group of talented young artists to finish their education and embark on <br /> professioal careers,exceeding the economic standards of their refugee parents.At the <br /> same time,we appreciate family and culture. We encourage them to embrace their Karen <br /> cultural identity,supporting their parents with the English language and with their <br /> younger siblings while the parents work multiple low wage jobs. <br /> FRANK:inFocus,Autism Awareness Month <br /> In 2012 we received grant support to present FRANK:inFocus; Focus on Teens <br /> with college bound minority teens showing academic promise and financial need as <br /> identified by their school guidance counselors.During the gallery exhibition,FRANK <br /> hosted local teens from hospital and therapeutic groups.We continue to build <br /> relationships with other non-profit organizations and community health centers <br /> representing Orange County,forming new partnerships with agencies that serve youth <br /> around themes of photography and literacy,self-advocacy,and community historic <br /> documentation. <br /> Continuing our focus on youth and challenges and using the Karen Youth Art <br /> Group community outreach model,we will begin a second project with children ,and <br /> teens on the Autism Spectrum.Our FRANK model reaches into the community to <br /> provide workshops for youth,then brings them back to the gallery to work with <br /> professional artists,inclusive of a professional public exhibition venue and reception. <br /> Because April is Autism Awareness month,FRANK gallery will host speakers <br /> from UNC,the Orange County Autism Society,recreation,art,drama,and music <br /> therapists,and families with members on the spectrum. We are particularly interested in <br /> working with youth who thrive within specialized alternative learning environments that <br /> stresses creativity.Our outreach includes the Jordan Lake School of the Arts,a program <br /> that serves many Orange County families (See letter of support from Beth Kuklinski, <br /> director and founder).We are hoping to collaborate as well with Yasmine White,founder <br /> and executive director of Voices Together,a Triangle based innovative program for <br />