Youth Education Program
A Student-Led Mural & Arts Education Program
Presented by Colorado Street Art Company
Lead Artist & Creative Director Dreamscapes Design
Mural Makers Academy is a hands-on, student-centered mural program for high school students. It combines professional arts instruction with collaborative mural creation, empowering students to shape the visual identity of their school while gaining real-world creative skills, confidence, and a lasting piece of public art.
The Program
Through guided workshops and mentorship, students are introduced to muralism as both an expressive art form and a viable career pathway. The experience emphasizes collaboration, storytelling, confidence-building, and pride, while leaving behind a lasting visual asset for the school community.
The program is delivered through three professionally led workshop sessions followed by mural execution. Each session is approximately three hours and can be scheduled after school or integrated into existing art classes, depending on the school’s needs.
Designed for high school students, particularly those in schools seeking arts enrichment, specialty programming, or increased access to creative opportunities. No prior mural or art experience is required to participate.
Curriculum
Students learn how murals are planned and created, covering basic safety practices and the behind-the-scenes elements of working as a professional artist. The session explores creative career pathways and how art functions in real-world and community contexts.
Students collaborate on concept development rooted in their school’s identity, values, and culture. Through guided discussion and sketching, participants help shape the visual direction of the mural, ensuring the final artwork reflects their voices.
Students work alongside a professional muralist to bring the design to life, learning techniques, teamwork, and shared responsibility for the final piece. The result is a permanent mural designed and painted with student participation.
Logistics
Investment
The full program is valued at $25,000 per school. Funding is supported through grants, sponsors, and community partnerships with the goal of offering the program at little or no cost to participating schools.
Grant Funding: Colorado arts grants and foundations
Sponsorships: Local business and community partners
Community Partnerships: Nonprofit and arts organization support
School Cost: Little or no cost to participating schools
Impact
Increases participation and investment in school life through hands-on creative work that students can see and share.
Exposes youth to creative career pathways in muralism, public art, design, and professional arts practice.
Strengthens school identity and culture by embedding student voice directly into the physical environment.
Every mural is a permanent symbol of student collaboration, ownership, and community pride that lives on after the program ends.
Schools interested in hosting Mural Makers Academy are encouraged to connect for more information or to schedule an introductory conversation. No prior arts programming experience is required.