SAY Sí is a national, award-winning, year-round, long-term, multi-disciplinary creative youth development program for creatively talented high school and middle school students. In the high school visual art program, I help young artists cultivate their creative talents and skills in the out-of-school time hours in an open studio environment. I develop a student-centered curriculum around an exhibition schedule. That role includes maintaining studios, facilitating visiting artists, planning field trips, coordinating student community projects documenting student artwork, installing exhibitions, training staff and interns. I also coordinate SAY Sí’s middle school visual arts program: Project WAM [Working Artists and Mentors] Duties include developing program curriculum, coordinating and supervising student mentors, and purchasing supplies. Additional roles include event planning for large events that include community volunteers, students, and parents and facilitating community partnerships for artwork deliverables or participation. These partnerships include the City of San Antonio, Via Transit, Healthy Futures of Texas, and Bohanan’s Restaurant.

SAY Sí is the Regional Affiliate for the San Antonio Scholastic Art Awards, a youth art competition with as many as 2,200 entries per year, a 175% increase from when I started. I work with students, teachers, schools, and arts organizations in Bexar County to promote, organize, adjudicate, and exhibit the regional Scholastic Art Awards. My significant tasks include gathering donations, scheduling, event planning, training, and supervising interns.