Artist Mentor Program

COOP Artist Mentor Program

The COOP Artist Mentor Program connects Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) high school visual art students with local professional artists. By moving beyond traditional gallery walls and into public and educational spaces, the program directly advances COOP’s mission to expand creativity, connection, and community.

Through tailored projects that extend beyond the standard curriculum, students explore critical thinking, build career awareness, and experiment with new media. Discussion and access to a public exhibition, grants students visibility, confidence, and a sense of authorship within the local arts ecosystem.

Core Objectives

• Expand Artistic & Career Awareness: Expose students to diverse art forms, cultural perspectives, and viable professional pathways in the arts.

• Foster Expression & Confidence: Encourage students to share their unique identities and stories through creative self-expression.

• Cultivate Community & Collaboration: Connect students, educators, and working professionals to build deep, supportive networks through collaborative public exhibitions.

COOP is dedicated to supporting working artists by funding their time to experiment, mentor, and inspire the next generation of creative voices.