Bringing
Technology-Driven
Arts to Schools
Our Mission
Yo Art enhances everyday classroom curriculum with media arts programs designed to spark students’ curiosity and teach real-world skills. Our projects encourage learning through discovery and discipline, improvisation and technique, and provide a fertile ground for creative thought through coding, photography, filmmaking, and design.
Our Programs
PHOTOGRAPHY
Students learn the basic principals of photography and how to use a sequence of photographs to communicate ideas and tell a story.
YO CODING
The process of designing and programming teaches young people to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively— essential skills for life in the 21st century.
DESIGN
Yo Art teaches students basic concepts of graphic, fashion, and landscape design.
FILM MAKING
Students learn techniques of digital videography and how to creatively edit their footage, along with graphics & EFX, to create finished presentation pieces in iMovie.
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Yo Art Announces New Executive Director!
On May 1st, 2018, Yo Art welcomed its new Executive Director, Elizabeth Bowers! As an organization, we'd like to take a moment to wholeheartedly thank our founder and former Executive Director, Gene Furchgott. Gene has worked tirelessly for over a decade to bring...
Yo Art speaks Spanish!
Our valued Landscape Design and Coding instructor Phillip D'Elia recently took time during class to translate our normal coding curriculum into Spanish for a student at Mt. Zion Elementary. Watch the heartwarming video below! [video width="1280" height="720"...
Yo Art Spring Schedule 2018
Monday
Charleston Development Academy – 8th grade Coding, 9:05 to 10:05
Frierson Elementary – 4th grade coding, 1:35 to 2:20, and 5th grade coding, 2:25 to 3:10
Memminger Elementary – 5th grade Landscape Design, 10:35 to 11:15
Cainhoy Elementary – 5th grade Photography + Keynote, 8:20 to 9:15
Tuesday
Mitchell Elementary – 4th grade Photography + Keynote, 10:20 to 11:15
Charleston Development Academy – 6th grade Photography + Keynote, 1:20 to 2:00
Wednesday
Charleston Development Academy – 7th grade Fashion Design, 11:15 to 11:45
Thursday
Angel Oak Elementary – 5th grade Photography + Keynote, 9:30 to 11:30 (3 classes)
Charleston Development Academy – 7th grade Fashion Design, 2:50 to 3:30
Friday
Mt. Zion Elementary – 5th grade Coding, 9:00 to 11:00 (2 classes)
Marrington Middle – 6th grade Coding, 9:30 to 11:30 (2 classes)
Mary Ford Elementary – 5th grade Photography + Keynote, 11:45 to 1:45 (2 classes)
Testimonials
There has been substantial research done on coding in the classroom with exclusively positive results. The increase in my standardized test scores (by 17 points in Math Aspire Act scores) since introducing Yo Art’s coding program is actually exceeding the results of the research. They started increasing the first year and have steadily increased with each subsequent year. I have also seen improvement in student engagement and in morale in my classroom .
Debra DirkesYo Art was quite a gift to the students and for me at Mary Ford. Your willingness to accept our students and meet them where they are in their learning took great perseverance, fortitude and patience. We are so appreciative for these weekly experiences.
LaDene ConroyWhen I was in college back in mid-sixties, we couldn’t even believe and imagine where we would be today, but what kids can do with technology—and in large part due to the efforts you’ve made. Yo Art’s truly an amazing organization, and your history’s been terrific, so thank you so much.
Richard JerueAwards
NAHRO | National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials recognized Yo Art for its innovative and creative after-school programming. In 2009, only two nonprofits were awarded this honor in South Carolina.
Nickelodeon | awarded Yo Art with The Big Green Help grant in 2010 for its education in environmental stewardship with students through the arts.
Americans for the Arts | along with Josh Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation recognized the efforts of Yo Art in 2011 for its hard work and dedication towards enriching the lives of children through art and creativity within the community.