CCA CONNECTS

Making Art That Makes a Difference

CCA CONNECTS offers community-based internship experiences to undergraduate and graduate CCA students.

CCA CONNECTS exemplifies the center’s focus on developing opportunities for students to engage intensively in individual projects with specific community partners. Both parties benefit from such valuable, long-term opportunities for learning and engagement.

How Funds Are Implemented

Grants from the center's sponsors and federal work-study money fund positions in community organizations. Students receive orientation and training through workshops at the center, which provide structure and context for their individual experiences.

Approximately 9,100 hours of work are done at community partner sites by 35 students working on average 10 hours per week, for 26 weeks each academic year.

A Vital Role in Community

Participating CONNECTS students come from varied backgrounds and disciplines, from architecture to social practice, painting, ceramics, design, fashion, and sculpture.

They may serve as artists in residence, or as administrative assistants in community organizations, or alongside teachers in public schools as teaching artists, witnessing the many ways in which art, design, writing, and architecture can play a vital role in the community.

Numerous alumni of the program have gone on to continue their work in various local and global communities.