Ryman Arts
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Ryman Arts provides free advanced drawing and painting classes along with college and career planning for motivated, talented teenagers. It is the only program in Southern California that offers these rigorous courses year round at no charge to students, serving the needs of artistically promising youth which are not typically met in the art programs of most high schools. The program is known for its long term relationships with students and alumni, the quality of the student’s work, and the high percentage of alumni who go on to higher education and careers in the arts. The goals are to
• Build strong studio foundation skills.
• Foster students’ artistic and personal development.
• Provide the knowledge needed to pursue higher education and careers.
History
From a single drawing class for 12 students in 1990, the program for young artists has grown to 18 studio classes year-round, and provided 300 full scholarships in 2004. The organization was established as a tribute to California artist Herbert D. Ryman (1910-1989), who was the original designer for Disneyland, and also maintains a collection of his drawings and paintings. Throughout his fifty-year career, Ryman was respected as a mentor by many younger artists. Herb Ryman believed that providing youth with a foundation of drawing and painting skills would foster an inquisitive exploration of the world and open doors to careers in the arts. In 2004 the program celebrated its tenth anniversary of partnership with the University of Southern California’s School of Fine Arts which hosts the studio classes on its campus. Ryman Arts became the new name for the Ryman-Carroll Foundation and the Ryman Program for Young Artists in 2005 to simplify communications as the organization grows.
Overview
• Each student receives a full scholarship that covers the entire cost of the Program: professional quality art materials, instruction, guest artists, models, field trips and, when needed, public transportation. Average cost per student, per course: $2,000.
• Open to all high schools students, grades 9 through 12, based on talent and motivation. Highly competitive selection process requires submission of observational drawings, an essay and the recommendation of a teacher.
• Outreach aims to reach increased numbers of students with exceptional potential but few opportunities for advanced art education.
• Curriculum includes 12-week spring and fall semesters in Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced drawing and painting, held on Saturdays.
• Studio classes focus on the fundamentals of drawing and painting, emphasizing drawing from observation, techniques of wet and dry media, composition, use of color, and life drawing.
• Extensive involvement by professional guest artists and museum visits provide broad artworld context.
• Small class size (15-17 students) taught by master artists-teachers fosters one-on-one instruction and a collegiate atmosphere.
• University of Southern California's School of Fine Arts provides studio facilities at no charge.
Impact
• Over 2,000 scholarships awarded since 1990
• Students come from 200 schools in 60 school districts in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
• Over 1,100 students participated in outreach workshops in school and community organizations across the region in 2004.
• Most Ryman students go on to higher education. Many have received awards and college scholarships because of their Ryman training.
• Ryman artwork has been exhibited at the regional museums and galleries including UCLA Fowler Museum, USC Lindhurst Gallery, Los Angeles City Hall, Pasadena Playhouse Gallery and most recently at the Greenwood Chebithes Gallery in Laguna Beach.
• Ryman alumni have careers in fine art, animation, graphic design, illustration, set design, architecture, and museum administration at organizations like Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount Pictures, Microsoft, El Museo del Barrio, Sony and Pixar.
Ryman Arts
315 West Ninth Street, Suite 806
Los Angeles, CA 90015-4204
(213) 629-ARTS (2787)
FAX: 213-627-9914
Ryman Arts is officially the Ryman-Carroll Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.