Outreach & Partnerships

The Columbia Art League is committed to providing art and enrichment to all sectors of our community. With our team of volunteers, staff, and teachers, we work with organizations to present opportunities for growth, learning, and fun through the visual arts. CAL believes that art and creative expression are integral to a high quality of life, and we are committed to providing these opportunities to others.

CAL Mentorship Program

CAL's mentorship program is designed to increase accessibility to meaningful engagement with the arts for underserved youth in the Columbia area community. We believe a well-designed mentorship program can have a deep and lasting impact on students’ lives. The thoughtful pairing of an interested student with a caring adult who is passionate about their field of study can be beneficial for the student as well as the mentor. Working one on one with a caring mentor, each mentee gains self-confidence, commitment to task, and a feeling of creative accomplishment.  For the mentors, helping to nurture young talent can be highly rewarding and strengthen their own commitment to and engagement with community.

Our mentors and mentees meet twice a month to build a small portfolio of work. At the end of the program, the work is displayed in an exhibition in CAL’s South Gallery. CAL also hosted several professional development workshops for participants to grow even more. CAL is committed to providing them space and opportunity to grow and challenge each other.

To apply to be a mentor/mentee, go to: https://columbiaartleague.org/mentorship

WooDHAVEN

Woodhaven is a team of community members dedicated to helping adults with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities succeed by engaging in programs that enrich their quality of life. CAL is fortunate enough to work with the Woodhaven team once a month by hosting classes and workshops that immerse the students in creative expression and fun. Through these classes, the adults have the opportunity to learn new artistic techniques and concepts while practicing Woodhaven’s values of individual choice and inclusion.

Moving Ahead Program

CAL is happy to be partnered with the Moving Ahead Program. Twice a month CAL offers art enrichment activity to MAP students. Students tour current exhibitions at CAL followed by an art project based on the exhibition theme or a specific art work in the show.

Other CAL Partners

City of Refuge

Columbia Public Library

Grade A+ Academic Support & Enrichment

Locust Street Elementary School

Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts

True/False Film Festival

 It is the community’s support  that facilitates our dynamic engagement with the visual arts and ignites the creative spark in all of us. Your memberships and donations allow us to connect with our community in meaningful ways. Please support CAL by becoming a member or making an extra year-end donation so that we may continue our work with these organizations and reach out to other populations for whom art can be a lifeline.