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

New York Girls Writing Circle

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

Participating Artists and Collaborators

Art21
Azza El Siddique
Brittany Cameron
Brittany Shepherd
Brooklyn Museum
Cindy Ji Hye Kim
Guns Down Mic Up!
Hannah Levy
Jack Radley
Kiyan Williams
Peixi Kwee
Rachelle Dang
Raque Ford
Tatiana Kronberg

Partners

^{INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS}Sara Arison
Jacques Louis Vidal
Seth Stolbun

^{FOUNDATION SPONSORS}Department of Youth and Community Development
Everypage Foundation
Exalt for Youth
Google Matching
New York Foundation for the Arts
Recess

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from
the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in
partnership with the City Council.