Artists For Humanity

What Artists For Humanity does

Artists For Humanity (AFH) is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that operates a youth-employment social enterprise in which paid teen apprentices deliver commissioned creative services to corporate, institutional, and community clients. AFH runs six creative studios in Boston — Painting, Graphic Design, Photography, 3D Design, Creative Technology, Animation, and Video Production — staffed by teen artists working under professional studio mentors and equipped with industry-standard tools including Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Unreal Engine, Blender, laser cutters, water-jet cutters, and 3D printers. Deliverables span murals, branding, websites, video, photography, animation, custom furniture, wayfinding systems, and leased fine-art exhibitions for clients across financial services, technology, healthcare, real estate, legal, education, and retail sectors.

AFH's revenue architecture blends earned income with philanthropic support. Earned streams include B2B creative-services commissions, EpiCenter venue rental (LEED Platinum-certified facility, Best of Boston 2018), direct-to-consumer art and merchandise sales through the AFH Shop, fellowship program fees, and school-day collaborations through AFH Co-Lab. Grant and donation revenue is sourced from corporate supporters (State Street, EY, Fidelity, Sidley, Citizens Financial Group), foundations (Cummings Foundation), state and federal cultural agencies (Mass Cultural Council, NEA, NEFA), and the City of Boston Youth Employment program. In 2023 AFH employed 397 teens, paid $1.3M+ in wages and commissions, and reported 100% high-school graduation and 87% college enrollment among participants, 88% of whom came from low or very low income households.

The organization expanded to New York City in 2023 with a Bushwick-based studio serving approximately 30 teens, and in 2026 launched the Portrait Project exhibition commemorating America's 250th anniversary alongside the 2026 Artists Fellowship and a Citizens Financial Group-sponsored community mural. AFH is governed by a Board of Directors and Board of Advisors; the founder Susan Rodgerson remains active, and the organization underwent an Executive Director transition reflected in the 2024 Annual Report.

Name

Artists For Humanity

Legal name

Artists For Humanity

Website

https://afhboston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Artists For Humanity is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that employs over 300 teens annually in paid creative apprenticeships across six studios, delivering commissioned art, design, and media services to enterprise clients while also operating an event venue, online shop, and school-day programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Arts Education and Creative Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Graphic Design Services (54143), Art Dealers (459920)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA), Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation) (EDAMAAAB), Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD), Content & Creative Studio for Creators (Concepting/Production) (MPAAAHAD)

Keywords

• Youth creative services
• Teen arts apprenticeship
• Nonprofit creative agency
• Commissioned mural design
• Community arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Creative Services: Revenue from commissioned art and design projects for businesses and organizations. Teen artists create murals, branding, logos, websites, videos, photography, custom furniture, and other creative work for paying clients.
2. Venue Rental: Rental fees from hosting events at the AFH EpiCenter, including weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. Membership fee of $1,000 required for individuals and for-profit entities hosting events.
3. Donations and Grants: Philanthropic contributions from foundations, corporations, and individuals supporting the mission. Includes corporate sponsorships and foundation grants.
4. Art Sales: Sales of original artwork, prints, and merchandise created by teen artists through the online shop and gallery exhibitions.
5. Artists Fellowship Program: Six-month fellowship offering stipends ($9,600 per fellow) for emerging artists with program fees supporting operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Artists For Humanity is a nonprofit social enterprise that employs teens in paid apprenticeship in visual arts and creative industries, then delivers those teens' work through six in-house creative studios (Painting, Graphic Design, Photography, 3D Design, Creative Technology, Animation, Video Production) as commissioned art and design services for businesses and organizations. Core deliverables include murals, branding and logos, websites, wayfinding, video, photography, animation, public art, custom furniture, and leased exhibitions. Revenue is supplemented by LEED Platinum-certified venue rentals, an online shop selling teen-created artwork, an Artists Fellowship program, and AFH Co-Lab school partnerships.

Product overview

Artists For Humanity (AFH) is a social enterprise that employs teens in creative arts and design services. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs: a core Teen Employment Program providing paid apprenticeship in visual arts and creative industries; Creative Services offered through six studios (Painting, Graphic Design, Photography, 3D Design, Creative Technology, Animation, Video Production) producing commissioned work for businesses; the AFH EpiCenter Venue Rental (LEED Platinum certified event space); the AFH Shop selling teen artwork and merchandise; the Artists Fellowship Program for emerging artists; AFH Co-Lab school collaboration; and AFH NYC (Brooklyn location). The organization recently launched the Portrait Project commemorating America's 250th anniversary. All programs work together to fulfill AFH's mission of harnessing the power of art, mentorship, and paid professional experiences to inspire teens to build their future.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AFH Co-Lab: School collaboration program sharing the AFH Model and creative studio access with schools during the day, promoting advanced skills development in industrial design, digital media, and STEAM.
• EpiCenter

Products and services

• Creative Services Commissioned art and design services for businesses and the community, including murals, websites, wayfinding, videos, public art, custom furniture, branding and logo design, artistic bike racks, animation, photography, mixed media, leased exhibitions, and paintings, delivered by teen artists working with professional studio mentors.
• Teen Employment Program Paid apprenticeship program employing teens annually (325+ in Boston, ~30 in NYC) in the visual arts and creative industries, providing wages, intensive mentorship, and professional development opportunities across six creative studios.
• Creative Studios (Boston)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% teen high school graduation rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Boston Children's MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026AFH's 3D Design Studio collaborated with Boston Children's Museum on the 'Dream it! Build it!' permanent exhibit teaching children about construction, architecture, and engineering through hands-on play. Collaboration included YouthBuild Boston and Minuteman High School.
• Citizens Financial GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Citizens Financial Group partnered with AFH for a community mural project celebrating America's 250th anniversary. This was part of Citizens' presenting sponsorship of Boston Harborfest. Citizens also awarded a $50,000 grant to Boston Cares to engage 250 employees in volunteer projects.
• David ByrneflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegendary musician collaborated with AFH teens on 'Imagination Over Reality' 120-foot mural for CRISPR Therapeutics headquarters.
• CRISPR TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned AFH and David Byrne for 120-foot interior mural and additional artwork for South Boston headquarters.
• BXP (Boston Properties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for murals, digital exhibitions, and artwork at Prudential Center and other properties.
• Brimmer & May SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFH Co-Lab partnered to create 'Gloria the Gator' sculpture, a 900 lb. slotted wood bench for campus, designed by juniors and seniors with AFH 3D Design Studio mentors.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AFHBoston
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AFHBoston
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArtistsForHumanity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/artistsforhumanity
• Instagraminstagram.com/artists.for.humanity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Artists For Humanity