AFH Co-Lab

AFH Co-Lab shares the AFH Model and creative studio access with schools during the day, facilitating collaborations with school teachers on their work to promote advanced skills development in industrial design, digital media and experiential learning in STEM+Arts (STEAM), all within AFH’s context of community engagement, youth leadership, and building equity.

The program provides young people with the opportunity for hands-on learning, working alongside AFH's team of professional artist and designer mentors to complete a project that will be featured in their school or their community.

What is the AFH mission and model?

AFH harnesses the power of mentorship and paid professional experiences to inspire teens to build their future. Working collaboratively with professional artist and designer mentors, teens create fine art and design solutions for clients, both big and small— transforming their world view and their clients’ in the process.

How does AFH Co-Lab work?

In AFH Co-Lab, students from your school take on the role of teen designers, and their clients are their schools and their community. Teachers, staff or community members select a design project that best meets their final outcome and educational objectives. Some examples from previous school partnerships include an art installation for the surrounding community, a sculpture for school grounds, or promotional school videos. Participants are guided by AFH mentors through the design process, from discovery to production.

AFH partnered with Brimmer & May to create Gloria the Gator —a three-piece, 900 lb. slotted wood bench for the campus paying homage to the school's mascot—was conceived, designed and fabricated by juniors and seniors from Brimmer & May working collaboratively with AFH's 3D Design Studio mentors.

"Gloria the Gator"

AFH Co-Lab in action

Our Creative Studios

We have been impressed by the impact reported by teens, parents and school staff who have experienced the value of the program. We are thrilled to be able to give back to our school communities and fully utilize our creative studios and maker spaces during the day, reaching as many young people as possible.

Our creative studios include:

• 3D Design

• Animation

• Creative Tech

• Graphic Design

• Painting

• Photography

• Video Production

View some of our client projects produced by our creative studio teams here.