STUDIO
AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAMS
Groundswell’s studio after school programs take place from October – March and are free and open to young people across New York City.
Our art programs focus on a range of social justice issues like economic inequality, immigrant, gender and racial justice, educational equity, housing rights and more! Learn more about our rotating program offerings below. All programs takes place at Groundswell’s studio at 540 President Street, Brooklyn. Applications for Groundswell’s 2026-2027 Afterschool Studio Programs are now open. Questions? Contact our studio programs staff at programs@groundswell.nyc
Ages 16-24
Advanced Portfolio: Making Art that Matters
Mondays, 4:00-6:30pm
The Advanced Portfolio program supports experienced students in honing their artistic technique, while strengthening their unique creative voices. Throughout the sessions, youth will explore the intersections of identity politics, systems of oppression, and create impactful imagery with a clear vision and narrative. The Portfolio class underscores the power of personal expression to promote critical thinking and foster positive change.
Simultaneously, participants will prepare for art portfolio applications, honing skills in figure drawing, composition, and design. Throughout the program, students are expected to generate at least two portfolio-ready pieces that embody the chosen social justice concepts discussed among the program cohort. Each student will receive one-on-one mentorship from Groundswell Teaching Artists.
Ages 14-19
Fiber Arts: for a Sustainable Future
Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00pm
This program invites students of all skill levels to explore the cultural lineage of fiber arts and develop hands-on techniques that advance sustainability efforts. Exploring a variety of textile arts—including embroidery, mending, weaving, sewing, creative re-use — students will create original, 3-dimensional works that explore texture, shape, and pattern, while promoting resistance to consumerist culture.
This is a project-based class where participants will examine how textiles have historically been used to promote environmental activism and are essential to building a more sustainable future. While nurturing their personal artistic expression, participants will gain skills and techniques to integrate textile and fiber arts into a variety of artistic pursuits.
Ages 14-19
Voices Her’d: Community Mural Project
Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:30pm
The Voices Her’d program explores how artistic expression can be used to encourage personal and societal transformation. This community mural project creates an intentional space for young women and gender-expansive youth to connect with a community partner whose work makes a meaningful impact for such communities.
Together participants will work with our community partner to research, design and fabricate a mural that speaks to the pressing social justice issues that face the community. Throughout the semester, participants will work collaboratively to build a visual narrative that raises awareness and sheds light on important themes and concepts. Through research and design, program participants will fabricate a large-scale mural to be installed publicly.
Ages 14-19
Print Power: Art for Organizing
Thursdays, 4:00-6:00pm
In the Print Power program, youth learn about the fundamentals of printmaking through its relationship to social movements in the last century. Print Power introduces participants to community resources, and culturally relevant printmakers to inspire personal applications of the art form. Throughout the program, student voice is highlighted and uplifted to bring light to the pressing social justice issues of our time, such as economic inequality, migrant, gender, and racial justice.
Students of all skill levels build foundational skills in drawing, research, design, and composition while emphasizing the meaning behind each print. Print Power exposes participants to diverse styles of print making, beginning with the basics of relief printmaking and then transitioning into other forms of printmaking such as screen printing and zine making. Throughout the program students will have the opportunity to design and fabricate their own screen prints and develop entrepreneurial skills associated with marketing and selling their products.