Topical Cream’s education programs connect young women and non-binary youth with New York City’s arts community.

New York Girls Writing Circle

The New York Girls Writing Circle returns for Summer 2025! This free, in-person program, located at 611 Broadway in SoHo, is open to New York City-based high school girls and non-binary writers and artists aged 14-18. Running Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, from July 1st through August 8th, 2025, the program offers mentorship in creative writing, studio visits with New York artists, and optional college prep essay review. Daily lunch and snacks are provided. Participants collaborate to produce a zine at the end of the summer!

Program Details:
Dates: Tuesday, July 1st, 2025–Friday, August 8th, 2025
Time: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: 611 Broadway, SoHo, New York City
Eligibility: New York City-based high school girls and non-binary writers and artists, ages 14-18

Free Chromebooks
Free Lunch
Free Notebooks and Pens

ARTIST TALKS
Tauba Auerbach
Rachelle Deng
Raque Ford
Ebony L. Haynes
Lena Henke
Julia Norton
Maria de Victoria
Lyndsy Welgos

FIELD TRIPS
The Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
Anat Ebgi
Bortolami
Canal Street Projects
52 Walker
P.P.O.W.
Smack Mellon
Two Trees Artist Residency

IN PARTNERSHIP
Global Kids
New York City Department of Youth and Cultural Development/SYEP program
Someday Gallery

Topical Cream Youth Workshop Series

Topical Cream’s Youth Workshop Series engages young minds with high-profile women and non-binary artists who share their insights and experiences with youth aged 6-18. The series aims to empower all youth with feminist luminaries, fostering inspiration and dialogue. Each two-hour session consists of a 30-minute lecture with visuals, followed by a 90-minute hands-on art-making session. These workshops provide participants with the opportunity to connect with visionary artists and create a work of art to honor their time.

The Youth Workshops Series prioritizes accessibility, offering free attendance to children aged 6-18 and up to two caregivers. All supplies are provided by Topical Cream.

Our mission is to nurture the next generation of artists, fostering intergenerational knowledge-sharing and fun!

Topical Cream Youth Workshops: Juliana Huxtable Button Workshop at Artists Space

DIY Button Making youth workshop with artist, writer, and musician Juliana Huxtable at Artists Space for Topical Cream's Youth Lecture Series — Artist and icon Juliana Huxtable shares the history of DIY button-making with young creators at Artists Space, Summer 2024. Part of Topical Cream’s Youth Workshop Series.

Juliana Huxtable makes buttons for painter Francesca Wade and her daughter at Artists Space for Topical Cream’s DIY Button Making Workshop with artist, writer, and musician Juliana Huxtable as part of Topical Cream Youth Lecture Series — Artist Francesca Wade and her daughter make DIY buttons at Artists Space.

Artists and their children make buttons at DIY Button Making youth workshop with artist, writer, and musician Juliana Huxtable at Artist Space for Topical Cream Youth Lecture Series. — Kids of all ages had a great time.

Art Writing Mentorship

Direct engagement with artists can be transformative. In 2020, Topical Cream launched the Art Writing Mentorship Program, developed in collaboration with Recess/Assembly.

At Topical Cream, we prioritize the agency of writers who have experienced systemic barriers, helping them leverage their unique perspectives and experiences. We provide training in creative writing, along with practical skills applicable to diverse fields.

Participants meet regularly with Topical Cream mentors to refine their craft and are offered opportunities to attend talks, readings, and studio visits that provide insight into the diverse practices of contemporary artists.

At the program’s conclusion, writers share their work with their peers and are invited to submit a full-length feature for publication on Topical Cream!

For more information or to sign up please reach out to rx@topicalcream.org.

Published Articles from our Mentees

Portrait of artist Kiyan Williams posing in their studio, taken by Lyndsy Welgos. — Kiyan Williams on forging your own path, community, and “Notes on Digging”

Installation view of Brittany Shepherd, “Façades,” a dark, cool photograph of a woman's face followed by a photograph of a shining blue material. — Get Wet and Messy at The (Virtual) Table: Brittany Shepherd in Conversation