PlatteForum

PlatteForum is an award-winning arts, youth-development, and artist-in-residence program founded in Denver, Colorado in 2002. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, PlatteForum pairs youth with professional artists to work on arts and social justice projects, culminating in a public exhibition of their work. Youth in PlatteForum’s programs find safe space for creative-self expression, belonging, meaningful connection, and self-discovery. About PlatteForum’s Artist Residency & ArtLab Internship PlatteForum’s Artist Residency program is a unique, competitive residency that provides 3-4 artists per year with the time, space, and support to create new artistic work and share their creative process with youth and community. ArtLab, voted “2023 Best Youth Arts Program” by Denver Westword, is an intensive, paid, year-round, out-of-school youth development program and internship for high school students from historically under-resourced communities. Paired with the Resident Artist Program, ArtLab connects young people to meaningful arts-based learning and creative career training from professional artists. ArtLab also delivers mental wellness tools and experiences, academic and post-secondary planning support, long-term mentorship, and wrap-around resources to youth and families.