2017 Youth Programs Impact Report Inspiring Creativity in Everyone

2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 1 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

We all know what a special place The Crucible is, with our amazing programs in metal and glass – in foundry, welding, glass blowing, blacksmithing, and more – and our equally high-quality programs in kinetics, woodworking, leather, ceramics – and so much more. It wasn’t until I joined The Crucible as their Executive Director at the end of July 2018 that I realized just how YOUTH PROGRAM GOALS much The Crucible supports creative exploration and discovery by local youth ages 8-18.  To provide engaging, high-quality arts More than 5,500 young people participated in hands-on programming at a free or reduced cost. STEAM learning and original art-making at our space Increase opportunities for undeserved and in West Oakland this past year. More than half of those  at-risk young people from Oakland and the young folks were Oakland residents who participate at a greater Bay Area to actively participate in free or reduced cost in our community events and after- the arts. school, weekend, and summer programs. We’ve been doing this work for more than thirteen years, and have  Create significant relationships with had the privilege of seeing young people who start in key stakeholders: youth, parents, schools, elementary or middle school become teenage Fuego and community-based organizations. Leaders, evolve into Crucible teaching assistants, then To inspire a new generation of fine professional instructors.  and industrial artists, enriching the In a time when expressing creativity as an act of local community. resistance and learning STEAM skills are both critical to thrive, The Crucible’s youth programs are an ever more essential part of our vision and mission. Our entire staff is committed to the arts-focused STEM/STEAM learning system we have developed and perfected over the  2017 HIGHLIGHTS  past eight years. And we are so proud of the pathways that allow young students to engage with The Crucible Distributed over $100,000 in youth through the Bike Program, field trips, workshops, and $ scholarships to experience and participate move into classes of increasing difficulty, culminating in in the fine and industrial arts paid internships for our most engaged and advanced Provided inspiring educational experiences students. to over 5,500 young people Read on to learn more about how The Crucible and our Invested in the makers of tomorrow with school partners have leveraged the significant impact that over 30 paid leadership and workforce arts education and positive role models have on young development positions people through the industrial arts. This is the future, and we want it to shine so bright for our youth. Offered free field trips for over 850 Oakland youth Best, Served 80% of all youth free of charge Partnered with over 40 Bay Area schools to provide field trips, workshops, hands-on presentations, and studio tours Susan Mernit, Executive Director [email protected]

P.S. If you’d like to engage in or support our youth programs, please get in touch!

2 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report FUEGO YOUTH PRE-APPRENTICE WHERE THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM STUDENT PROGRAM BECOMES THE Pg. TEACHER

Pg. 9 Pg. 8 10

TREE OF CONTENTS The Crucible is dedicated to inspiring creative growth in Oakland and the Greater Bay Area, and our Youth Programs are a crucial part of that mission. The majority Pg. YOUTH CLASSES of youth who experience our programs visit The & CAMPS Crucible for a field trip, community Bike Fix-A-Thon, 7 Open House, or get inspired at an off-site community event. That initial exposure to what you can make with your hands inspires some youth to join us in the studios for an afterschool class or weeklong camp, where they can learn a new skill in one of fourteen art departments. The most committed and dedicated students then go on to participate in our Fuego Youth Leadership Program, Pre-Apprentice Program, with some eventually joining The Crucible’s regular faculty.

Pg. Pg. 4 Pg. 6 5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FIELD TRIPS BIKE PROGRAM & PARTNERSHIPS

2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 3 FIELD TRIPS

É PROGRAM AT A GLANCE For many young people, The Crucible’s free Field Trips offered to Oakland public schools and Title I schools are their first exposure to the industrial arts and art making. During our Field Trips, youth witness demonstrations by artists and industry experts in Glass Flameworking, Glass Blowing, Welding, Blacksmithing, Foundry, and more. In- structors describe the processes, tools, and applications they use to make projects from metal, glass, and other materials, inspiring youth to make connections between the arts and sciences. Our field trips support academic studies in schools that face socio-economic barriers, and are often where youth first learn about The Cruci- ble’s classes, youth scholarships, Fuego Youth Leader- ship Program, and more!

“I came here for a school Field Trip and because I wasn’t exposed to a lot of these areas at that  2017 HIGHLIGHTS  age, I was pretty mesmerized and thought ‘I really want to take classes here,’” Katia Navidad Rallon 973 students visited The Crucible on explains. After her Field Trip, Katia applied for February 23, April 27, and June 1 for a youth scholarship, taking classes in multiple Field Trip Day disciplines then later participating in our Pre- 90% of the youth visited The Crucible at Apprentice Program. Katia has continued to work no cost to the school with her hands, becoming an instructor in the Woodworking Department, and works as our 23 different schools participated in a Woodshop Technician. She is currently working for a Field Trip Day woodworking fabrication studio in San Francisco.

4 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report BIKE PROGRAM

 2017 HIGHLIGHTS  153 youth were served at the Bike Fix-A-Thons 222 youth recieved free bike repair during drop-in hours 11 bicycles were gifted to local area youth who had no functioning bicycles to ride 26 bicycles valued at $100 each were É PROGRAM AT A GLANCE built by youth in our Earn-A-Bike The Crucible’s Bike Program is a free year-round Program community outreach program that addresses personal transportation needs. The Bike Program promotes an alternative, sustainable mode of transportation, while providing essential bike repair services to our community, diverting useable/salvageable waste from landfills, and reinforcing reuse of materials. Since 2005, over 7,000 youth have participated in The Crucible’s Bike Program, and thousands of bicycles have been repaired to nearly-new status.

At our Bike Fix-A-Thons, bicycles are repaired for free by a fleet of dedicated volunteers and Crucible staff members. “Going to a bike shop and getting your bike repaired by a mechanic really isn’t an affordable option for a lot of people,” explains Ismael Plasencia, our Youth Programs Associate. During our Bike Fix-A-Thons, volunteers and staff work to fix as many bikes as possible, getting people back on the road, with safe, functioning bikes.

Repairs include flat tire repair, wheel and tire work, brake and gear repair, chain repair, and seat and handlebar adjustments.

The Earn-a-Bike Program provides West Oakland youth with hands-on experience in welding and bike mechanics. In this six-week workshop, youth work with volunteer bike mechanics to fix donated bikes, repairing two bikes and keeping one. The other bike is sold to raise money to support our Bike Program. Twins Dania and Madison, age 6, didn’t have bikes that fit them. But at The Crucible’s Bike Fix-A-Thon, they both received a free refurbished bike from our Bike Shop.

2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PARTNERSHIPS

Students from West Oakland Middle School have sold their art at our GIFTY Open House since 2009, exposing them to the process of selling their work and the multitude of opportunities for them to create at The Crucible.

When Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf visited GIFTY, she purchased a pair of earrings made by eleven year-old Eric. This was Eric’s first time vending at our GIFTY Open House and his first sale as an artist.

“Young people need a challenge, the opportunity to create, build confidence, focus, and move outside their comfort zone. The Crucible provides this and much more,” explains Sharon Wasserman, one of Eric’s teachers at West Oakland Middle School.

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

Participated in over 30 community events, including East Bay Mini Maker Fair and Life is Living É PROGRAM AT A GLANCE Provided affordable rental The Crucible seeks to engage the West Oakland community and studios for 30 working artists beyond, through on- and off-site events, free tours twice a month, Got hands-on with 560 youth participation in local festivals and fairs, collaborating with local in workshops and community artists, and building public art pieces. In 2017, The Crucible hosted projects in a dozen different local community events, including two Open Houses, four nights industrial arts disciplines of the fire fashion show Hot Couture, and three days of GIFTY, our We partnered with 41 public annual craft show, as well as participating in numerous local and and private schools regional events, inviting the community to experience the inspiring power and possibility of the industrial arts.

*See the Appendix on page 14 for a full list of our community engagement and partnerships.

6 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT YOUTH CLASSES & PARTNERSHIPS AND CAMPS

Gabrael grew up down the street, and found out about The Crucible watching his older brother, Robert, take class after class with the help of our need-based scholarship program. Robert was the first Youth Programs student to become a lead instructor, and his passion for the industrial arts inspired Gabrael to get involved.

With sixteen Crucible classes under his belt, including MIG Welding, Creatures in Fused Glass, and Skateboard Building, Gabrael can proudly claim that, at age 13, he has already taken more classes than the majority of all Crucible students! “The Crucible is a place where you can ask for help and they will actually help you,” he explains.

É PROGRAM AT A GLANCE Throughout the year, we offer youth classes for youth, ages 8-18, after school, weekends, and half- and full-day camps during spring and summer. With a 1:6 teacher/ student ratio, students work with instructors to produce original works of art, connecting with mentors and new friends, boosting students’ confidence, and developing interpersonal skills in ways that are applicable to everyday life. 2017 HIGHLIGHTS 922 youth enrolled in 135 classes over six The Crucible offers 37 different youth classes in 14 weeks of Summer Camp departments of study, including Welding, Woodworking, Textiles, Glass Blowing, Ceramics, and Kinetics. Each 179 classes ran from January to year, $100,000 in scholarship funds are held for camp December, in 14 different art departments participants with 20% of camp seats reserved for 70 youth enrolled in after school and scholarship students. weekend classes during the school year 15% of all youth in classes received a Research shows that art students score higher on $ standardized tests, are less likely to be suspended, and partial or full scholarship feel more optimistic about attending college. 30% more classes offered, including new WOW! classes like Skateboard Building and Woodworking I

2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 7 FUEGO YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

É PROGRAM AT A GLANCE The Crucible’s graduated learning structure provides opportunities for students to progress through different programs, projects, and classes, which can lead to a paid position in the Fuego Youth Leadership Program.

Students who have completed three Crucible classes and are recommended by Crucible faculty or staff are eligible for the program. Strong priority is given to students who qualify for the scholarship program, with priority entrance given to West Oakland youth. Approximately 80% of Fuego Leaders have accessed scholarship funds from The Crucible. Over two years, Fuego Leaders hone their technical and teaching skills as Teaching Assistants, alongside a faculty mentor over Rocky has been taking classes at The Crucible since two Summer Camp sessions. During Summer Camps, he was in the 6th grade, following a suggestion from leaders meet daily for time to reflect and problem- his grandmother. After demonstrating his ability and solve, while planning personal art projects for a final seriousness, Rocky joined our Fuego Youth Leadership presentation. Program, assisting instructors in the Welding Department. “Had it not been for my time spent at Since its inception in 2010, more than 70 youth have The Crucible I wouldn’t even consider making 3D graduated from the Fuego Program. Of the 70 whom sculptures, especially using metal of all things,” Rocky have completed the program, 40 are still engaged explains. “I must say I’m thankful for this experience.” with The Crucible as faculty, administrative staff, or as volunteers. Others have gone on to build successful Rocky was recently awarded a fellowship at careers in construction trades, or have graduated from The Crucible, financially underwritten by Big Picture universities and art schools. Learning, so he can continue his education and leadership development during the summer of 2018. In 2017, eight students graduated from our two-year Fuego Youth Leadership Program, and another ten students are completing year-one of the Program.

The Fuego Youth Leadership Program is sponsored by A FUEGO LEADER SPENDS: CASS, Inc – the official metal recycling partner of The Crucible. We are grateful for their ongoing support. 30 hours teaching Youth Summer Camps 20 hours in educational and mentorship activities 14 hours in CPR/First Aid Training, orientation meetings, and pre-camp retreats 10-12 hours perfecting their industrial art skills 88% completion rate: 61 out of 70 Fuego Leaders have completed the program once started

8 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report PRE-APPRENTICE PROGRAM

Pablo Valdez has taken sixteen Crucible classes as a scholarship student, was a paid Fuego Leader for two years, and graduated from our Pre-Apprentice Program in 2017. Pablo now works at The Crucible as a Teaching Assistant in our Blacksmithing and Glass Blowing Departments. “This has made me more of an outgoing person. I was really shy. And The Crucible really opened my mind to more of what I can do,” he explained.

É PROGRAM   AT A GLANCE 2017 PROJECT With fewer progressive learning Our Pre-Apprentices worked opportunities in the skilled labor trades, The with the Blacksmithing, Crucible meets the needs of students, ages Machine Shop, and 16-24, seeking professional mentorship, Welding Departments to advanced skills training, and career- build The Pre-Apprentice readiness programs. The Crucible’s Pre- Portal for the main student Apprentice Program teaches a broad range entrance. Each Crucible of metalworking techniques, providing department contributed one opportunities for public demonstration, circular piece to the portal, community site visits, networking representing their medium opportunities, and collaboration on public art and tools of their discipline. projects. “The Pre-Apprentice Portal brings art, industry, and The Pre-Apprentice Program runs from community together,” says Chris Neimer, who leads the October to May, serving five to ten students program. “The Pre-Apprentice Program is a crucial step each year. Enrolled at no cost to the student, for the youth enrolled to make a lasting piece of art at Pre-Apprentices are paid an hourly wage The Crucible.” for their work. Since its launch in 2014, more than fourteen students have matriculated through the program. 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 9

WHERE THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER

“You are helping the “I tell my students if “It taught me to “I’m an artist at youth find an outlet to you have a goal, work push forward, even heart, but I also love express themselves, to surpass it. Because when I might feel teaching. It’s awesome and clearly, that’s in life, there are only uncomfortable. I was to see somebody really important, so many opportunities the only girl in the Pre- I’ve taught become otherwise you wouldn’t you get. This is by far Apprentice Program, inspired to do more art. have so many of us the best one that came but I had female It’s great to have that who were interns still past me.” teachers who were so sense that somebody here.” badass and strong, is looking up to you.” —Maliq Nathaniel, that I was inspired to —Crystal Carillo, Welding Instructor get my hands dirty.” —Adrian Rodriguez, Foundry Instructor Blacksmithing —Jazzy Schwinges- Instructor Williams, Welding Instructor

A West Oakland staple for more than fifteen years, we Many of these new instructors were able to take classes have had the privilege of watching youth grow up in our at The Crucible because of scholarship opportunities Youth Programs, explore their creativity and begin to made possible by our generous donors. master their artistic disciplines. Some discovered a true passion and now, as adults, have joined The Crucible’s Each participated in our paid Fuego Youth Leadership regular faculty. Program when they were in high school, deepening their technical skills and giving them their first hands-on “It is really something special to see these kids go experience as teaching assistants in the classroom – through the Youth Programs and grow into young skills they now rely on as regular faculty. adulthood excited to stay a part of this community,” says Ismael Plasencia, our Youth Program Associate since “The only way this knowledge continues to exist is if it is 2008. “The fact that we can provide opportunities for passed on,” explains Ismael. “These instructors are really them to step into leadership and teaching roles really creating the pathway for everybody else that follows.” brings the whole Youth Program full circle.”

10 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report YOUTH PROGRAMS BUDGET

2017 2017 2018 EARNED REVENUE BUDGET ACTUALS BUDGET Tuition and Scholarships Dollars 325,925 348,108 333,500 Material fees & Miscellaneous Income 83,500 77,024 77,250

Earned Revenue 409,425 425,132 410,750

CONTRIBUTED REVENUE Foundation, Corporate, Government 95,000 64,500 122,500 Individuals 25,000 23,783 25,000 Fundraising Event 75,000 82,300 85,000 Allocation from Unrestricted Contributions 50,375 57,436 46,700

Contributed Revenue 245,375 228,019 279,200

Total Revenue 654,800 653,151 689,950

EXPENSES Faculty and Program Staff 501,900 484,051 525,000 Materials Cost 15,900 27,453 30,000

Marketing & Communications 32,000 28,656 30,000 Utilities & Occupancy Costs 56,500 47,263 49,950 Administrative Support 48,500 65,728 55,000

Total Expenses 654,800 653,151 689,950

2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 11 LEADERSHIP & STAFF

YOUTH FACULTY AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS James Adamo Ledora Lewis YOUTH PROGRAMS STAFF Aleah Bashir Camille MacRae Rob Nehring, Director of Programs Eric Blanpied Ralph McCaskey Ismael Plasencia, Youth Programs Associate Julie Bright Elven McKnight Coleman Buffa Mark Metz Jonathan Carroll, 2017 & 2018 Camp Coordinator Ben Carpenter Jon Moreno Megaen Curl, Youth Programs Assistant Crystal Carrillo Maliq Nathaniel Helen Feng, Camp Administrator & 2018 Fuego Youth Holly Carter Chris Niemer Leadership Coordinator Nate Chandler David Page Carmen Gambino, Bike Shop Department Head Max Chen Drew Prober Rachel Kantor, 2017 Fuego Program Coordinator Megaen Curl Natallia Pulko Howard Hirano, Bike Shop Volunteer Mimi Dean Kyle Reich Marc Macdonald, Bike Shop Volunteer Phoebe Deutsch Adrian Rodriguez Michael Dickinson Jazmine Schwinges-Williams Kinto Diriwachter Gregg Senne Erik Eiserling Rikki Smeltzer Sami Eskinazi Roberta Smith BOARD OF DIRECTORS Samantha Espinoza Denise Snaer-Gauder Helen Feng Lee Sonko Warren Breslau, Board President Celeste Flores Ruby Spring Lori Fogarty, Vice President & Secretary Michiko Fukushima Elliot Surber James Madsen, Vice President Ana Gallira Denise Taylor Tim Irvin, Treasurer Lee Granberg Sudhu Tewari Jeremy Crandell Janet Hayes Trace Thompson Greg Hansen Reginae Hightower Lizzie Uscanga Tanya Holland Stan Huncilman Pablo Valdez Adam Lamoreaux Jose Juarez Kobe Williams James Madsen Heather Katz Brandyn Willridge Sean Orlando Maggie Kelly Jenny Wong Stanley Leslie Pritchett Kelsey Kenny David Wright Julie Sigoloff Leo Knapp Daniel Yasmin Jeremy Lark Marisa Zuk Susan Mernit, Executive Director

12 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals and institutions who have made gifts of $1,000 or more designated for The Crucible’s Youth Industrial Arts Education Programs in 2017. Thank you for helping us inspire, support, and energize the creators of the future.

INDIVIDUAL DONORS Anonymous Lauren & Steve Adams Warren Breslau & Frances Hellman George Cogan & Fannie Allen Jeremy Crandell Lloyd Ernst Lori & Skip Fogarty Greg Hansen & Marsha Roberts INSTITUTIONAL FUNDERS Grace & Thomas Harley Autodesk, Inc. Ann Fischer Hecht & Shawn Hecht CASS, Inc Dr. Judith Hellman City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program Hellman-Gibbs Family Philanthropic Fund The Clorox Company Foundation Jennifer Lewis & Ken Lowney The Eucalyptus Foundation Virginia Lincoln Hellman Foundation James Madsen Karl and Alice Ruppenthal Foundation for the Arts Elizabeth Mumm Meier Kelly Family Cuidiú Foundation George A. Miller Koret Foundation Charles Olson & Yoko Watanabe The Miner Anderson Family Foundation Leslie Pritchett New Belgium Brewing Company The Richard R. Ingels and Margaret A. Gurdziel Rev Trust Olivann Renee Ventimiglia O’Keefe Family Foundation Amanda Walker Pacific Gas and Electric Vita Wells The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Roger & Ruth Wu

2017 Youth Programs Impact Report | 13 APPENDIX

SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT THE CRUCIBLE PARTNERED WITH IN 2017: Albany High School Athenian Upper School Berkeley High School BYKE Collective Camp Keff The Carey School Cathedral School for Boys Chabot College Crestmont School The Drew School Edna Brewer Middle School Emiliano Zapata’s Street Academy Kids & Art Leadership High School Marin Academy MetWest High School The Nueva School Oakland High School Orinda Intermediate School 2017 COMMUNITY EVENTS OUSD Arts & Media Coalition & ACTIVITIES: Palisades High School Bi-monthly Public Tours Pinewood School Bike Fix-a-Thons Redwood High School East Bay Mini Maker Faire Renaissance High School Fall Open House Roosevelt Middle School Field Trip Days San Francisco University High School Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction Sierra Waldorf School Gear Girls Skateboard Workshop Sonoma Mentoring Alliance GIFTY Holiday Art Sale & Open House Springstone High School Hot Couture: The Beautiful Ones Synapse School Life is Living Festival UC Berkeley Maker Faire West Oakland Middle School Oakland Running Festival

14 | 2017 Youth Programs Impact Report