top of page
a blue, pink, yellow, and purple gradient background
The Colors Collab provides adolescents ages 15 - 18 with relevant career preparedness through real-world experience, working with professional artists and creative businesses.
The Colors Collab approach delivers creative career job opportunities to under-served and low-income students by pairing them with local creatives to educate the next generation of talent, building sustainability and impact.
a pink, yellow, blue, and purple gradient
a black-and-white photograph of kids in the early 1990s participating in the first COLORs youth outreach program. A pink and purple filter was applied over the image.

The COLORs Youth Outreach program was founded in 1993 by Laura Baker Pinkley as an after-school arts program for underserved youth, modeled after a program pioneered in Harlem, New York.

For over 25 years, COLORs provided thousands of children in elementary and middle school a safe and positive learning environment during critical after-school hours.

When COLORs went on indefinite hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spartanburg Art Museum staff knew this was a perfect opportunity to refashion this beloved program to better meet the needs of students in the 21st century. As we surveyed the state of after-school programs in Spartanburg County, we noticed a void in offerings for high school students interested in the arts. Thus, The Colors Collab was born.

A pattern of black asterisks in a repeating pattern on a pink, yellow, blue, and purple gradient background

The Colors Collab is open to students ages 15-18.
There is no fee to apply or participate in the program.
SUMMER APPLICATION DEADLINE 5.5.2023

The Spartanburg Citizen Scholars logo

The Colors Collab is collaborating with Spartanburg Citizen Scholars in summer 2023.

Spartanburg Citizen Scholars are providing youth, through mentoring and program support, the life skills, knowledge, and character development needed to obtain college scholarships, complete college, and become contributing citizens.

An image by Steinar Engeland of a teen girl with white corded earbuds and a silver Macbook
The logo of the Spartanburg County Foundation in white with a dark drop shadow
bottom of page