Youth Residency: At the Table

With a passion for reimagining and innovation, the Gantt Center partnered with Ricky Singh—an artist, community builder, and educational leader—to curate an experience centered on youth leading youth. Through creative initiatives, Ricky Singh, in collaboration with #CharlotteYouth and the Gantt Center, launched the first-ever youth residency in September 2023.

What is Youth Residency: At the Table

Hosted by the Gantt Center, Youth Residency: At the Table partnered with My Brother's Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg. The goal of this program is a district, charter, private, and homeschool collaboration led by #CharlotteYouth. Youth residents complete projects with community organizations of their choice and participate in other volunteer opportunities.

Residency Details

Youth in this residency program gain exposure in a variety of skill sets tied to marketing, design, business development and the arts. Additional opportunities include:

• Experience being an instructor through hands-on with leading with #CharlotteYouth
• Bi-weekly in-person sessions at the Gantt and community partner organizations
• Collaboration with co-youth residents
• Access to VIP experiences led by the Gantt Center x My Brother’s Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• Opportunity  to showcase their work at the Gantt Center
• Gantt Center x My Brother’s Keeper staff meets to provide check-ins
• Shadowing opportunities that align to their interest (Gantt and partner organizations)
• Participate in long-term planning and strategy for MODA
• Receiving letters of recommendation and youth residency recognition
• Headshots + social media training

Who Can Apply?

Sophomores, juniors and seniors who are currently enrolled in high schools througout Mecklenburg County. This includes home, public, charter and private school students.

Impact

• 100% of youth identified this residency experience as a catalyst and motivating factor in seeking additional arts-based workforce.
• 92% have grown in communication, critical thinking, metacognition.
• 100% have identified the residency as a key indicator for growth in leadership, collaboration, communication.
• 100% of youth would recommend this program and apply for another residency.
• 100% of youth have identified a better knowledge of arts and culture opportunities available to them.

Partner With Us: Calling Charlotte Nonprofits

Our residents create a call to action for Charlotte nonprofits, inviting them to share upcoming projects or specific needs for potential collaboration. Starting now to the last week of January, nonprofits can apply to the Youth and Unity Nonprofit application below. During the residency, our students select nonprofits based on their interests, strengths, and areas of growth they wish to explore. If chosen, selected nonprofits will be notified in late January for a partnership with this cohort.

If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Beverly at nicole@ganttcenter.org.