Youth Residency: At the Table

With a passion for reimagining and innovation, the Gantt Center partnered with Ricky Singh—an artist, community builder, and educational leader—to curate an experience centered on youth leading youth. Through creative initiatives, Ricky Singh, in collaboration with #CharlotteYouth and the Gantt Center, launched the first-ever youth residency in September 2023.

What is Youth Residency: At the Table

Hosted by the Gantt Center, Youth Residency: At the Table partnered with My Brother's Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg. The goal of this program is a district, charter, private, and homeschool collaboration led by #CharlotteYouth. Youth residents complete projects with community organizations of their choice and participate in other volunteer opportunities.

Residency Details

Youth in this residency program gain exposure in a variety of skill sets tied to leadership, marketing, design, business development and the arts. Additional opportunities include:

• Experience being an instructor through hands-on with leading with #CharlotteYouth
• Bi-weekly in-person sessions at the Gantt and community partner organizations
• Collaboration with co-youth residents
• Access to VIP experiences led by the Gantt Center and My Brother’s Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• Opportunity to showcase their work at the Gantt Center
• Gantt Center and My Brother’s Keeper staff meets to provide check-ins
• Nonprofit project opportunities that align to their interest (Gantt Center and partner organizations)
• Receiving letters of recommendation and youth residency recognition
• Professional headshots and social media training

Who Can Apply?

Sophomores, juniors and seniors who are currently enrolled in high schools throughout Mecklenburg County. This includes home, public, charter and private school students.

Impact

• 100% of youth identified this residency experience as a catalyst and motivating factor in seeking additional arts-based workforce.
• 92% have grown in communication, critical thinking, metacognition.
• 100% have identified the residency as a key indicator for growth in leadership, collaboration, communication.
• 100% of youth would recommend this program and apply for another residency.
• 100% of youth have identified a better knowledge of arts and culture opportunities available to them.

Student Feedback

• "My biggest challenge was balancing creativity with self-doubt. Through residency guidance and practice, I've developed stronger self-confidence in my artistic abilities and reduced self-doubt." - Youth Resident C2
• "I've always been so scared of public speaking since I was young but being able to share work I was PROUD of during the Youth Residency showed me that it didn't have to be scary." - Youth Resident C1
• "This experience was unlike any other that I have experienced. Here under this residency, I have been able to learn so much from marketing to leading volunteer activities. Every moment was worth it because I have been able to learn so much from it all. Plus getting to know all of my fellow residents was one of the best parts because I have been surrounded by all these amazing like minded people." - Youth Resident C2

Partner With Us: Calling Charlotte Nonprofits

Our residents create a call to action for Charlotte nonprofits, inviting them to share upcoming projects or specific needs for potential collaboration. Starting now to mid November, nonprofits can apply to the Youth Residency: At the Table nonprofit application below. During the residency, our students select nonprofits based on their interests, strengths, and areas of growth they wish to explore. If chosen, selected nonprofits will be notified by mid December for a partnership with this cohort

For more information, please contact Nicole Beverly at nicole@ganttcenter.org.