Create CA’s inaugural digital arts and advocacy course, Designing Advocacy, which launches in late January with partner ArtCenter. Caitlin Lainoff, Create CA’s Youth Engagement Manager, with over a decade of experience in arts and education, is expanding the Student Voices program to grow more local advocates with this first-ever venture into post-secondary education and activism.
“We wanted to connect with college-aged students in a reciprocal relationship, providing an opportunity to hear from communities in California not usually represented and to connect students to resources they otherwise might not have access to through our partnership with ArtCenter,” said Lainoff.
One of those students is Chloe Ruiz, an emerging artist with a long connection to Create CA; Ruiz is a past winner of the Students Voices Challenge- then known as the Student Voices Campaign.
Lainoff and Create CA staff caught up with Ruiz about her return to the organization in a new capacity and with bigger visions in her advocacy work.
Create CA: What drew you to Create CA, and why have you decided to stay connected to our organization?
Ruiz: I’m passionate about advocating for arts education, and when I found Create CA it was like my voice was being heard. Create CA helps me to stay connected to my community and the issues we need to face.
Create CA: How could K-12 students in your community benefit from more access to arts education?
Ruiz: Giving K-12 students an outlet for the arts is important and should be in all schools. More art access allows students to be themselves and learn about their self-expression. Art education promotes problem-solving and critical thinking in those involved.
Create CA: What are your essential design tools (physical or digital software, applications, etc.), and how would you describe your design style?
Ruiz: Any time I start a project, I always use paper and pencil. It helps to get the ideas flowing, and then I go straight to illustrator, photoshop, or after effects. My designs consist of imaginative themes and inspiration. I always want to spread a message with my art and show my creativity. If my design makes you “aweee” then I’ve hit my goal.
Create CA: Where do you see the future of graphic design as an industry in the next decade?’
Ruiz: In the future, graphic design will become a broader term. Graphic design is a vast world of different things and has even expanded to the 3d realm. Design is everywhere, and graphic design is everything.
Create CA: What do you want to get out of the ArtCenter course and how do you plan to use that information?
Ruiz: Messages are always important in design; if I can put advocacy in mine, that’s a tool I want to have. This Artcenter course can help spread awareness about art education. I always want to bring positivity and laughter into what I create. As an artist, I advocate for art education and equality for all. Growing up as a low-income Latina child, I wished to feel represented in the art community. I had to push for my art education and work hard to get where I am today. Going forward in my career, I will continue to advocate for the arts in low-income communities.
Create CA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.