Arts on the Block

What Arts on the Block does

Arts on the Block (originally founded in 2003 as Pour Your Art Out, reorganized under legal entity Artpreneurs, Inc. in 2007, and operating as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit since July 2009) is a Silver Spring, Maryland-based nonprofit that delivers paid visual arts apprenticeships and youth workforce development programs, primarily serving high school students, young adults aged 18-24, and elementary/middle school youth in the Washington DC and Maryland region. Its core offerings include The Apprentice Program (TAP), a stipend-paid high school apprenticeship; Studio Crew, a year-round paid workforce program for ages 18-24 split into Fabrication Crew and Digital Crew; Youth Arts Movement (YAM), an in-school visual arts enrichment program run with Montgomery County Public Schools; and a Mentorship Program launched in 2019. Block Talks, public workshops, and a small e-commerce shop round out the programming.

The underlying production capability is handcrafted mosaic art using glass tile, smalti, and related materials, supplemented by Adobe Creative Cloud-based digital design for the Digital Crew. The organization's proprietary methodology centers on a community-integrated design process in which apprentices participate directly in client meetings, community design charrettes, and iterative feedback sessions to produce installations that reflect community input. Outputs include large-scale public art commissions (200+ completed to date), site-specific murals for transit stations, corporate lobbies, libraries, religious institutions, and public spaces, plus handmade retail products. A dedicated studio at the Silver Spring Library (900 Wayne Avenue) houses working mosaic and digital design studios, a gallery, and a retail store.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure combining earned revenue from commissioned public art (enterprise and government clients including Montgomery County DOT, JPMorganChase, Lerner Enterprises, Bernstein Companies, and Landex Development), retail sales of apprentice-made mosaic goods ($2-$55 price points), $80 community workshops, and tuition/revenue-sharing arrangements with teaching artists (AOB retains 20-40%); with contributed revenue from individual donations, foundation grants (Cafritz Foundation, Maryland State Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Arts Forward Fund), federal support including a U.S. Department of Labor grant covering 23% of combined TAP and Studio Crew program costs ($100,000 of $430,664), corporate sponsorships, and SBA pandemic-era support. The combined TAP and Studio Crew program cost is $430,664 annually, with over $300,000 paid in wages and stipends to approximately 70 emerging creatives in 2020. Marketing is conducted through organic social media, an email newsletter (~4,000 subscribers), community partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools, testimonial-driven earned media, and Yelp review management. The organization is governed by a board with representation from BDO USA LLP, Amazon, Adobe, and Mastercard, and is currently led by Interim Executive Director Christopher Barclay.

Name

Arts on the Block

Legal name

Arts on the Block

Website

https://artsontheblock.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Arts on the Block is a Silver Spring, Maryland 501(c)3 nonprofit that runs paid visual arts apprenticeship programs (TAP, Studio Crew, YAM) for youth and young adults in the DC/Maryland region, producing commissioned public mosaics, retail goods, and workshops while developing the creative workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education & Public Art Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD), Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA), Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA)

Keywords

• Youth arts apprenticeship
• Public art commissions
• Mosaic art fabrication
• Creative workforce development
• Community art programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Art Commissions: Revenue from commissioned public art projects including mosaics for government transportation departments, real estate developers, banks, schools, and other organizations. Projects range from large-scale murals at transit stations to custom mosaics for corporate and private clients. The organization produces over 200 commissions per the portfolio claims.
2. Donations and Grants: Charitable contributions from individual donors, foundation grants from organizations like The Cafritz Foundation, Maryland State Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and Arts Forward Fund. Also includes government grants and emergency support such as SBA PPP loans.
3. Retail Product Sales: Sale of handmade mosaic products including earrings ($25-$45), necklaces ($55), coasters ($20-$25), frames ($25-$30), buttons ($2), and screenprinted apparel ($25). Products are created by apprentices through learn-and-earn programs.
4. Workshop Fees: Revenue from community workshops teaching mosaic and other art techniques. Workshop prices include $80 general admission for Mosaic Lab workshops. Teaching artists can also host workshops with revenue split arrangements (AOB takes 20-40% of ticket sales).
5. Apprentice Stipends and Wages: The organization pays over $300k annually in wages and stipends to approximately 70 emerging creatives through its apprenticeship programs, funded by a combination of grants (including $100,000 from U.S. Department of Labor) and non-federal resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Arts on the Block is a nonprofit organization that trains youth and emerging artists (ages 4-24) in mosaic art and digital design through paid apprenticeship programs while producing commissioned public art installations for government agencies, real estate developers, and corporate clients. The organization sells handmade mosaic products (jewelry, coasters, frames, apparel) through an e-commerce shop and studio gallery, and offers paid community workshops teaching mosaic techniques.

Product overview

Arts on the Block is a nonprofit arts organization operating as a platform of interconnected youth arts and workforce development programs. The core offering is The Apprentice Program (TAP), a visual arts apprenticeship for high school students, supplemented by Youth Arts Movement (YAM) for younger children, Studio Crew for young adults, and a Mentorship Program. Additional offerings include Block Talks, public workshops, and commissioning services for custom mosaic art. The organization also operates an e-commerce shop selling handmade mosaic products (earrings, coasters, frames, necklaces) created by apprentice artists. All programs use a community-integrated design process where youth create real-world public art commissions while developing creative and professional skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Apprentice Program (TAP) A free visual arts apprenticeship program for high school students in the DC/Maryland region where participants earn an educational stipend or Student Service Learning (SSL) hours while developing mosaic art skills, job readiness, and entrepreneurial training through real-world public art commissions.
• Youth Arts Movement (YAM) A visual art enrichment program combining STEM elements with visual art education for students ages 4-14, taught in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools to explore Elements of Art and connect scientific concepts to visual art.
• Studio Crew A workforce development program for young adults ages 18-24 who earn wages while producing large-scale public art commissions, with a Fabrication Crew creating mosaic artwork and a Digital Crew working on Adobe Creative Cloud design and illustration projects.
• Workshops & Events Year-round workshops led by professional teaching artists at the AOB Silver Spring studio teaching mosaic and other craft skills to community members of all ages, including Mosaic Lab workshops at $80 general admission.
• Commissioned Mosaic Art Custom mosaic artwork commissioned by individuals, businesses, and government agencies, created by apprentices under professional guidance through a community-integrated design process for public spaces, lobbies, and private collections.
• Mosaic Shop (E-commerce) Online retail store selling handmade mosaic products including earrings ($25-$45), necklaces ($55), coasters ($20-$25), frames ($25-$30), buttons ($2), and screenprinted apparel ($25), all created by apprentice artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ young creatives impacted through The Apprentice Program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AdobecoreTechnology or IntegrationAdobe team members Charley Lewis, Wendy Dinova-Wimmer, and Dave Helmly supported AOB's transition to online programming during COVID-19. They provided access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools and expertise that enabled the Digital Crew program to work virtually on design and illustration projects.
• Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary arts council for Montgomery County providing generous and steadfast support, leadership, and advocacy for AOB's work. Critical funding and institutional partner throughout AOB's 20+ year history.
• Americorps VISTAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear after year talented leaders join AOB to serve as catalysts for change through Americorps VISTA positions. Colleagues at MOST Network support these positions. AOB benefits from dedicated capacity-building team members through this national service program.
• CASA de MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASA de Maryland helped bring AOB's first dual language program with Art + STEM elements to life. El Movimiento de las Artes Juveniles (YAM) was developed in partnership to provide accessible visual arts programming in English and Spanish.
• CasaplexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCasaplex wired up AOB's Silver Spring studio with new digital design capacities, providing technical infrastructure for the studio buildout.
• Chase BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhat began as a client relationship for a mosaic commission evolved into a powerful creative collaboration featuring iconic artwork across the DMV. Over three years, JPMorganChase worked with AOB to produce public art for selected bank branches and communities through the Chase New Markets project.
• Collaboration CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development training from Collaboration Council is a core part of AOB's professional development. Teaching teams regularly connect with resources and training opportunities through the Council.
• First American MillworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst American Millwork made AOB's amphitheater seating in the new studio and gave the AOB crew a behind-the-scenes look at how it was done.
• Gandhi Brigade Youth MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGandhi Brigade Youth Media welcomed AOB to the neighborhood, lending much-needed creative space throughout the studio buildout and move.
• GW Art Therapy ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt and Play Therapy specialists from the GW Art Therapy Program work with AOB's teaching artists and management team to carefully craft learning and teaching methods backed by research.
• Hickok ColecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHickok Cole provided architectural design services for AOB's new Silver Spring Studio, including a virtual reality tour and partnership with true heart. Led AOB through the design process to complete the dream of the new studio space.
• Impact Silver SpringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact is a great partner in building bridges in the communities AOB serves, working together on community engagement initiatives.
• Kay ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn a cold winter night when AOB seemed to be out of luck, Kay Management quickly provided temporary studio space to call home.
• Kensington Glass ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe artisans at Kensington Glass Arts are an integral part of the Silver Spring studio buildout, contributing custom glass work for the beautiful interior.
• Landex DevelopmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLandex gave the AOB crew a great artistic challenge and a spot in a beautiful collection of international contemporary works at Artisan 4100. Commissioned mosaic murals for the Gateway Arts District development.
• Lerner EnterprisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLarge-scale development projects provide canvases for AOB's young artists. The Black Hill Germantown project includes mosaic seat walls and retaining walls in six park areas totaling 411 square feet of mosaic artwork.
• Mentor MD | DCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentor MD | DC coached AOB through the development of a well-structured mentorship program and gave new perspective on telling youth stories with justice.
• MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMICA is always willing to share information on getting in and paying for art school, providing guidance for AOB apprentices considering art college.
• Montgomery Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontgomery Community College is a great resource for youth and young adults in AOB's college and career program, providing pathways and connections for emerging creatives.
• Montgomery County Department of TransportationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMillions of daily riders see artwork produced by AOB creatives through this partnership. From knee walls to bus stop medallions, young artists have beautified MCDOT public transportation facilities around Montgomery County.
• Peterson CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhen AOB needed temporary space in a cool location, Peterson Companies put AOB up at the Fenton Street studio, generating buzz and activating an empty retail space.
• Temple EmanuelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTemple Emanuel gave AOB a great creative challenge to honor their retiring Rabbi with an artwork illustrating global loving kindness. Created 100 square foot elemental mosaic mural.
• Therrien WaddellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral contractors Dan Coffey and Kareen Kaveh at Therrien Waddell led a behind-the-scenes tour so AOB crew members could see the new studio under construction.
• University of MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partners at University of Maryland, College Park helped with social and emotional learning methods and evaluation in the YAM program, providing academic rigor and research backing.
• VIKA MarylandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJosh Sloan at VIKA Maryland is a thought partner providing industry insights on landscape architecture, urban planning, and smart growth - specializations interesting to young designers.
• WheatonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWith longtime friends in Wheaton, AOB completed a three-year project to redesign the iconic clock tower near the new civic plaza, featuring 44 mosaic medallions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Arts Club: The National Arts Club is a longstanding NYC arts nonprofit offering exhibitions, residencies, and arts education. It is comparable as a long-tenured arts nonprofit with educational and public-facing programming but operates at very different scale and in a different geography.
• Society of American Mosaic Artists: Society of American Mosaic Artists is the leading U.S. professional association for mosaic artists. It is adjacent (rather than competitive) but operates in the same craft ecosystem that defines AOB's medium specialization and would likely be a natural professional network and grant partner.

Direct peers

• Project Row Houses: Project Row Houses is a Houston-based nonprofit that uses art as a platform for community development, programming residencies and installations in historically significant spaces. It parallels AOB's blend of arts education and place-based public art commissioning for community revitalization outcomes.
• Mural Arts Philadelphia: Mural Arts Philadelphia is a community-engaged public art nonprofit that produces large-scale murals through paid artist apprenticeship and workforce programs for formerly incarcerated and underserved youth. It directly mirrors AOB's model of combining paid youth creative apprenticeships with high-profile commissioned public art for government and corporate clients, and serves as the nation's flagship reference point for this model.
• Groundswell: Groundswell is a NYC-based nonprofit that produces community public murals led by and employing youth artists, with a similar apprenticeship-and-commission business model. AOB and Groundswell share the same operational pattern of partnering with property developers, transit agencies, and schools to deliver large-scale visual art created by paid emerging artists.

Regional players

• VisArts (Rockville): VisArts is a Rockville, MD nonprofit visual arts center offering classes, exhibitions, and community programs. It is structurally comparable as a Montgomery County visual-arts nonprofit delivering arts education and studio programming to youth and adults, though with broader media coverage rather than mosaic specialization.
• Pyramid Atlantic Art Center: Pyramid Atlantic is a Hyattsville, MD nonprofit art center dedicated to printmaking, papermaking, and book arts with education, residency, and exhibition programs. It is a nearby peer in the DMV visual-arts nonprofit ecosystem, sharing AOB's emphasis on studio-based education and artist development but focused on different media.
• Maryland Art Place: Maryland Art Place is a Baltimore-based nonprofit visual arts organization supporting contemporary Maryland artists via exhibitions and programming. It is a peer in the Maryland nonprofit visual-arts infrastructure that AOB operates within, focused on artist visibility rather than apprenticeship.
• Creative Alliance: Creative Alliance is a Baltimore-based community arts nonprofit that combines residency, education, and event programming in a single neighborhood arts venue. It shares AOB's nonprofit community-arts positioning within the broader DMV/Maryland region and operates with comparable hybrid earned-contributed revenue models.

Broad incumbents

• MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art): MICA is Baltimore's long-established four-year college of art and design and a recognized pathway institution whose admissions guidance is already channeled to AOB apprentices (MICA partnership). It is a broader incumbent in MD-based fine arts education and a downstream funnel for AOB alumni seeking degree-track training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/artsontheblock
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/artsontheblock
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArtsontheBlock
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arts-on-the-block
• Instagraminstagram.com/artsontheblock/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Arts on the Block