Art As Mentorship

Empowering young artists to write their own success stories. 

Support Our Work 

 

Donate Via

Write us a Check

Make checks payable to Art as Mentorship, Inc. and mail to:

300 Gladstone Blvd. #102

Kansas City, MO 6412

Please include your email address on the memo line.

 

 

 

What We Do

Art as Mentorship empowers young people in underserved communities teaching tools for success, through music and arts. From our humble origins as a one-week music camp at the Mattie Rhodes Center a decade ago, we’ve transformed into an organization with innovative initiatives like the Rebel Song Academy (RSA), and AMERI’KANA which have thrust Kansas City into the national dialogue connecting arts and wellness.

 

 







Our Programs

Rebel Song Academy (RSA)

Art as Mentorship’s flagship program: weekly songwriting classes with a curriculum rooted in mental health practices and community. 

  • RSA Fellowship: 12-week program followed by year-long opportunities for mentorship, music making and live performances. Held at our headquarters in Northeast Kansas City. 
  • 600+ students impacted by AM programs in 2023
  • Hosted 7 Rebel Song Academy Programs in 2023 (up from 3 in 2022)
    • Kansas City International Academy (KCIA), Liberty Academy, Wyandotte High School, Fairfax Academy, Youth Resiliency Center
  • Curriculum developed with Sherri Jacobs, author and licensed therapist.

The LAB

Custom built studio located at InterUrban Art Studios in Old Overland Park. RSA students record and release their songs in The Lab.

  • 35 student songs recorded in 2023
  • Students assisted in professional projects including a film score featuring Grammy award-winning artists Steve Berlin and Mireya Ramos
  • Students scored theme music for nationally recognized Inadmissible podcast 
  • AM will be expanding production curriculum 2024

Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music and Arts Festival 

Created to bolster AM programming, RSA students perform and help with festival production. Celebrating the origins and legends of diverse colors of American music.

  • FREE festival open to the public at Concourse Park in the Historic Northeast
  • 1,500 attendees at the park on 9/10 and 400 attended The Ship Pre-Party on 9/9
  • Two stages: Main Stage and Youth Stage with Rebel Song Academy, Base Academy of Music, and Harmony Project KC, and Kate Cosentino (The Voice)
  • MERCADO – International Open Air Market with 74 small business creators, growers, artists, and community partners.
  • Activities: Soccer Camp, Drum Safari, Skate Club HQ, Chalk Walk
  • 1.

Who We Are

Enrique Chi officially founded Art As Mentorship in 2017. Enrique is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the Latin GRAMMY-nominated, Kansas City-based band Making Movies.

What began a decade ago as an after school music program for an under-served community has grown into an organized network of international performing artists committed to guiding the next generation through the power of music.

Support Our Work 

Donate Via

Write us a Check

Make checks payable to Art as Mentorship, Inc. and mail to:

300 Gladstone Blvd. #102

Kansas City, MO 6412

Please include your email address on the memo line.