SUMMER 2026:
JUNE 21 – AUG 7
APPLY NOW FOR CHICAGO YOUTH WORKS POSITIONS.
APPLICATIONS FOR AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS OPEN APRIL 27!
All programs are FREE and most youth enrolled are paid a stipend for their participation upon completion of the program.
Email us at yollocalli@nmmart.org with info & questions.
JOIN THE MADNESS! ♥
JOIN THE MADNESS! ♥
STREET ART STUDIO
with teaching artist Mario Mena
In Street Art Studio, teens will explore the power of street art culture through an exploration of printmaking and mixed media. Drawing inspiration from their community and own identities, teens will design works that add to the history of activist art; using their designs to interrupt spaces and spark conversations about issues important to them. By the end, they won’t just know the history of street art and printmaking, they’ll have left their mark with work that speaks to both self and community.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 9:00-1:00
Piotrowski Park 4247 W 31st St
Open to youth that reside in Chicago and are high school, ages 14-15 years old. Through After School Matters
GRAFFITI
with teaching artist Liz ‘Bel’ Reyes
Get your hands on some spray paint and your name up in style! In this program, teens team up with a local graffiti artist to master the art of graffiti lettering and create bold, expressive works. Along the way, participants dive into the history and culture of graffiti through films, stories, and street-smart discussions. You’ll experiment with markers, acrylics, and spray paint to develop your own style. In the end, you’ll be ready to leave your mark anywhere you go.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 1:30-5:30
Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St
Open to youth that reside in Chicago and are high school or graduated spring 2026, ages 16-21 years old. Through After School Matters
APPLY NOW! ⋆˙⟡
APPLY NOW! ⋆˙⟡
YOUTH COUNCIL
with teaching artist Whitney Ross
Looking for an opportunity to connect with the community, make art, and organize events? Join our Youth Council and help us organize events such as our Chill Set and Anti Valentine’s Day. Youth will also be creating a piece for the National Museum of Mexican Art.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/ TUESDAY/ THURSDAY/ FRIDAY 10am-3pm
Yollocalli Fire Station, 2358 S Whipple St
AGES 16-24, through Chicago Youth Works
FUNKY PHOTO
with teaching artist Luis Chavez
Calling all funky photographers! In this program, teens will explore the city, visit galleries and museums, and dive into conversations with artists to spark their creativity. They’ll try out different image-capturing methods—both old-school and digital—and experiment with tools like Photoshop and studio lighting. Most importantly, participants will learn more about themselves, their perspectives, and how they want to express their stories as artists.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 9:00-1:00
Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St
Open to youth that reside in Chicago and are high school or graduated spring 2026, ages 16-21 years old. Through After School Matters
JOIN THE MADNESS! ♥
JOIN THE MADNESS! ♥
YOLLO RADIO
with teaching artists Charly Garcia, Brian Cruz, Jonathan Bucio |
ATTENTION ALL MEDIA MOGULS!!! Ready to turn up the volume on your creativity? Join Your Story, Your Way and become part of a dynamic media team on a mission to capture the heartbeat of Chicago! Whether you’re into reporting the latest buzz, mastering the art of interviews, producing top-notch audio, or crafting compelling stories, this program has a spot for you. Get ready to hit the streets and make your mark on the media scene. Your voice, your style: let’s broadcast it to the world
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/THURSDAY 5:00-7:00, SATURDAY 9:00-2:00, Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St
AGES 16-24, through Chicago Youth Works
YOLLO LAB
with teaching artist Nancy Alvarado
Ready to turn your doodles into dollars? Join YolloLab where creativity meets entrepreneurship! You’ll learn how to craft eye-catching stickers, prints, and more—perfect for vending and building your brand. But we’re not stopping at just making art; we’ll show you how to market yourself like a pro, turning your passion into profit. Get ready to unleash your inner entrepreneur, and watch your art fly off the shelves!
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 4:30-7:00 Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St.
Open to youth that reside in Chicago and are high school, ages 14-15 years old. Through After School Matters
APPLY NOW! ⋆˙⟡
APPLY NOW! ⋆˙⟡
FROM SCRATCH:
INTRO TO DJ-ING
with teaching artist Dai Minenger
An introduction to DJing that focuses on the fundamentals of techniques for both digital and vinyl DJing. Students will understand the combination of beat matching and harmonic mixing with the use of the camelot wheel. Students will learn how to use and troubleshoot industry standard equipment, as well as different DJ softwares. Students will learn the origins of the DJ craft, develop the skill of discovering new music that resonates with their style and individuality, and work towards creating their own mixes.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 1:30-5:30
Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St
Open to youth that reside in Chicago and are high school, ages 14-15 years old. Through After School Matters
EARTH & FIRE
CERAMICS
with teaching artist Myriam Lozano
An introductory ceramics course which explores the vast possibilities of pottery and sculptural ceramics. Starting with basic manipulations of clay, the course will explore hand-building, throwing, glazing techniques, and firing stages. Students will learn ceramic history and various cultural traditions to better understand the processes and techniques of a range of ceramics forms, as well as learning how to participate in a communal studio. Students will experience the value of getting messy and how mistakes can make magic to create their own unique sculptures and accessories.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 10:00-2:00
Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St
Open to youth that reside in Chicago and are high school, ages 14-15 years old. Through After School Matters
JOIN THE MADNESS! ♥
JOIN THE MADNESS! ♥
PUBLIC ART
with teaching artist Cecilia Beaven
Ready to go big? In Public Art, you'll team up with a local lead artist to design and create work that celebrates culture and identity. Your lead artist will share how they land gigs, work with clients, plan big projects, and document their work, so by the end of the summer you'll have all the tips and tricks from a professional.
You’ll learn the ins and outs of bringing art to the streets and leave the program with real-world tools to make your creative mark in public spaces. Murals aren't just for walls, they're for voices, and yours matters.
SUMMER SCHEDULE:
MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 8:00-1:00 Yollocalli Fire Station 2358 S Whipple St
AGES 16-24, through Chicago Youth Works