Make Space
Meaningful mentorships since 2008
Make Space pairs 18 sixth-grade girls—all of whom attend Anna Julia Cooper School in the East End of Richmond—with 18 women for a year of mentorship and art-making. VisArts launched the program in the fall of 2008, then called Space of Her Own, and since has impacted the lives of more than 250 women and girls. Make Space is an affiliate member of the Virginia Mentoring Partnership.
Make Space runs from October through April and the pairs create art together in VisArts’ studios. The artwork the pairs make together, like hand-sewn pillows, wheel-thrown clay vessels, lanterns, glass light catchers and self-portrait paintings—are saved until our year’s end celebration, when the girls take the art projects home to decorate their own cozy space! The work results in 18 colorful and inspiring rooms that give each girl a space to make her own.
NEW! This year we will hold two separate sessions of Make Space in order to accommodate more youth into our program. Our first cohort of 9 mentors + 9 mentees will meet for the Fall Session, and our second cohort will meet during our Spring Session.
- Fall Session: October 2024 – January 2025 | Thursdays, 3:30 – 6:30pm | Applications now closed.
- Spring Session: January 2025 – April 2025 | Thursdays, 3:30 – 6:30pm | Applications open October 2024!
View the Make Space Calendar for 2024 – 2025.
At Make Space our goals are to provide access to meaningful arts experiences, provide creative outlets to promote self-confidence, promote a positive future orientation, and foster a mentoring relationship with a caring adult. Our art workshops also provide girls an opportunity to practice topics explored in our “Girl Talk” life skills sessions such as self-esteem, communication, teamwork, self-efficacy, and perseverance.
In addition to meeting with the girls, mentors also attend their own training sessions once a month throughout the year. These sessions are led by guest speakers from organizations that serve youth in the Richmond community such as Mentor Virginia and SCAN, and are designed to expand the mentorship skills of each woman.
See the program in action by following Make Space on Instagram: @makespace_visarts
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"Girl Power"
Make Space was highlighted in Richmond Magazine among other local mentorship programs helping young Richmonders to become leaders.
Read more
Become a Mentor
Each year, VisArts recruits women to serve as Make Space mentors. Mentors do not have to have previous mentorship or arts experience, just a willingness to try new things!
We’re looking for applicants who are…
- enthusiastic about working with young people
- dependable with a positive attitude
- open to new experiences
- interested in serving their community
- committed to consistent attendance
Mentor Benefits:
- Supporting, guiding and building a trusting relationship with a young person
- Building community with other women from around the city
- Art-making workshops and reunions
- Enhanced leadership skills
- Trainings around relationship building, positive youth development, trauma awareness
- Gift certificate for a free multi-week class at Visual Arts Center
Mentors must have the capacity to commit to:
- Weekly classes on Thursday evenings from 3:30 – 6:30pm during each session period
- Five training sessions during the program
- One potential weekend day for a Mentor + Mentee “Hang-out day”!
Applications for the 2024 – 2025 program year will reopen soon.
VisArts encourages all women to apply next year and will prioritize applications from BIPOC individuals.
If you’d like to learn more about the program, contact Liana Elguero, our Community Programs Manager at [email protected].
Become a Sponsor
For Make Space to be successful, VisArts needs both monetary and in-kind donations. Companies have donated everything from fabric and paint to photography supplies and bed frames. We recognize all our sponsors in Make Space’s print and web materials, and sponsors are also invited to the closing ceremony, which is held in May.
