About AIE

About Artists in Education

Southern Exposure's nationally recognized Artists in Education (AIE) program brings together diverse youth, artists, schools and organizations to provide meaningful participation in the visual arts, sparking a dialog on contemporary artistic practice and sociopolitical issues. Our five programs provide teens and young adults with valuable critical, artistic, vocational and cultural experiences beyond the traditional school environment. SoEx is committed to continuing to offer completely free education programming for youth, as it has for over 22 years.

Youth are frequently introduced to our AIE programs through our Mission Voices Summer program. Interested youth continue to gain critical visual thinking and research skills while receiving individualized attention with a one-on-one mentor in our Mentorship program, and are fully prepared to lead their own projects as a member of the Youth Advisory Board in their final years with AIE.

Each year, Southern Exposure works with more than 500 youth artists between the ages of 12 and 21 and employs more than 20 teaching artists. In an age of decreased art-centered curricula in public schools and a lack of positive, creative outlets for youth, AIE fills a crucial need in the community.