The Smart Project, established in 2019, is a free Dallas-based youth creative art program (nonprofit). The idea of starting a supportive creative youth program was formed by founder, Nitashia Johnson, in 2015. She later began making this idea a reality with a small passionate team in 2018. As a result, the first creative workshop ran the following year in the fall of 2019. This program offers 8th - 12th-grade students from underserved backgrounds creative lesson plans focusing on photography, digital media, and traditional visual art techniques, as well as providing creative teaching opportunities.
Students that are able to engage with our workshops will learn about various art forms and concepts, gain hands-on experience in creating art, and the opportunity to work alongside our Teaching Artists. We have worked with local, nationwide, and international students. Through this program we focus on building personal and creative relationships within the community for the students to make connections that will help their future.
We are committed to supporting students from various diverse backgrounds and communities. We are excited to work and flourish with the generous support of future partners, team contributions, community donations, grants, and individual supporters.
Our mission is to prepare students for college and career readiness by giving them the tools needed to succeed as multimedia artists. We believe that all students are capable of achieving success in their chosen field of study. This is what motivates The Smart Project. Through the program, students will create portfolio pieces and gain confidence in their ability to succeed.
The Smart Project program ran for eight weeks in the Spring, from April 1 to May 28, at the South Dallas Cultural Center. The second half will run for 12 weeks in the Fall, from September 16 to November 19, 2022. We are requesting help to build our presence and continue the work we've done with students at the center. At the time, we have not acquired funding for the technology needed to run the digital media and photography workshops and will be offering workshops aligned with the visual arts.
With your support, TSP will continue our traditional visual arts workshops and introduce the digital media workshop, which will expose students to design-based technology. We currently have ten cameras to operate the photography workshop in the Spring of 2023, but this section is pending since there are no laptops available for classroom editing.
Inspiring a future of innovative youth through creative education. The program is constantly recruiting individuals who feel the same as we do.
Our Teaching Artists are trained professionals in the field who help educate the students as they prepare for their creative future. We are committed to supporting students from various diverse backgrounds and communities. We are excited to work and flourish with the generous support of future partners, team contributions, community donations, grants, and individual supporters.
Organization name
The Smart Project, Inc
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
3400 S Fitzhugh Ave,