G-CAP

WHAT IS G-CAP?
A Community Arts Program that involves teens under the direct supervision of a GoggleWorks artist, in the design and production of a public art project which enhances the community while, at the same time, teaches the students valuable skills in job training.

WHO IS G-CAP?
GoggleWorks
A Community Cultural Arts Center in Reading whose mission is “to nurture the arts, foster creativity, promote education, and enrich the community.”
Arbor Career Center
Federally funded agency that sponsors Summer Youth Employment and Training Program
· Community Partners that serve as sites for the arts projects and contribute financial support
Corporate Sponsors who contribute time, materials and financial support for the projects.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
· G-CAP is a Reading community arts program based on a prototype started in 1992 in Chicago with Gallery 37 (a program now replicated in over 50 US cities and in England).
The first G-CAP project in Reading took place during the summer of 2006. A beautiful ceramic tile mural was created by a group of teens working with GoggleWorks studio artist, Sue Small. The mural is installed on the north face of GoggleWorks’ Building 5. The GoggleWorks partnered with the Arbor Career Center, and Reading Beautification, to create a stunning 30ftx 5ft, 3 dimensional mosaic mural.

HOW DOES G-CAP WORK?
· Students are hired and compensated by the Arbor Career Center via an application process distributed with the help of the local high schools. One artist (associated with the GoggleWorks by maintaining a studio at the GoggleWorks) works with nine students. Students and artist meet with client, and learn about the client’s needs. The artist-student team then designs the project to meet the need, then presents the design to the client. Changes are made based on the client’s input. Then, the team constructs the project.

PURPOSE OF G-CAP
· Involve youth in collaboration and teamwork to complete a project and build self-respect.
· Enhance a public space with a work of art.
· Teach employment skills to teenagers.