Arts on the Block

April was a milestone month for Arts on the Block — and we have two incredible stories to share.

🎓 Our apprentices earned state credentials. Two of our senior apprentices — Ravin E. (Richard Montgomery HS) and Venice C. (Kennedy HS) — received their Certificates of Completion from the Maryland Department of Labor at the MCPS Future Ready Apprenticeship and Internship Ceremony at Quince Orchard High School.

As participants in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, Ravin and Venice completed 450+ hours of professional art apprenticeship work — earning high school credit and wages while building real-world creative skills and helping produce public mosaics for our community.

🎤 Our work was recognized on a county stage. Arts on the Block (Christopher Barclay) was invited to speak at WorkSource Montgomery 's Apprenticeship Week Celebration, where we joined apprenticeship programs from across the county to highlight the critical role apprenticeships play in workforce development.

"Our responsibility as employers isn't just to train the next workforce. It's to create conditions where young people can be their best selves. That's the commitment." - Chris Barclay

Creative careers are real careers and our apprentices are living proof. 💜

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