With support from the California Arts Council, the Putnam Foundation (DBA Timken Museum of Art) will implement Creative Choices—a trauma-informed arts program for system-engaged youth incarcerated at the Youth Transition Campus (YTC). Designed for adolescent, teen, and young adult males and females, the program features weekly art classes, guest artists, two collaborative murals, a public art exhibition, arts and culture field trips to Balboa Park, and youth internship opportunities. Creative Choices fosters self-expression, nurtures confidence, and encourages healing through creative engagement. CAC funds will compensate a teaching artist, guest artists, cover art materials and supplies, and support transportation and exhibition expenses. This program provides system-engaged youth with a constructive, empowering outlet and new ways to imagine their futures through the transformative power of art.
The following describes our core programs, all provided free of charge:
Exhibitions and lecture series: 3 exhibitions annually that focus on a specific painting in our collection, positioning it in the larger context of works by a master or artistic movement. Each exhibition has a series of morning, afternoon and evening lectures, and daily docent-led tours.
School programs: school tours; teacher workshops for educators to learn how art can connect to their teaching; Outreach Español (Spanish docent-guided tours for Spanish-speaking students); Creative Choices (artist-in-residency program for at-risk students in Juvenile Hall).
Programs for adults, families and visitors with special needs include: tours by trained docents in 8 languages; Family Mural Making Project; Memories at the Museum (docent tours in partnership with USCD’s Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Center); and Creative Engagement (comprehensive art program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder).

