Ryman Carroll Foundation

Programs: Ryman arts reached full capacity serving high potential youth with 40 classes at its two program sites on the campus of california state university, fullerton (csuf) on saturdays and sundays at otis college of art & design in los angeles. Students come from five southern california counties, over 150 zip codes, and more than 80% live in low-income neighborhoods where schools provide little access to art and dropout rates are high. Almost half of students come from title 1 high schools. Overall, in 2016, ryman arts served 622 young artists in its core weekend program, reached approximately 3,000 in its outreach programs in local urban schools, and served numerous alumni through internships and part time jobs. - the retention rate for students in the core program was 90%. - 95% of graduating students reported acceptances at colleges and art schools. Art center college of design and otis college of art & design both offered scholarships designated for ryman arts graduates- ryman arts coordinated 3 paid internships for alumni at creative businesses. - the class of 2016 finished the academic year with a professional exhibition at the reef in downtown l. A. Where over 200 works were displayed in the galleries. In october 2016, ryman arts presented the seventh annual the big draw la. In addition to many events held by community organizations, ryman arts hosted the fifth annual "make your mark in the park" event at grand park in downtown los angeles, where the drawing activities were led by ryman arts students for 3,000 visitors. In 2016, ryman arts launched a pilot program designed to increase college preparation services for its neediest youth. The project included the addition of a professional college counselor as a consultant , and additional workshops for students and parents on financial aid, the college application process and writing the college essay.