West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology - WMCAT

Congratulations to our second-ever Cybersecurity cohort on graduating from our Adult Career Training Program! Students in our cloud security engineering and GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) tracks have completed their training and are headed toward new careers in the rapidly growing cybersecurity industry where they will be met with thriving wages. Thank you to our 2024 Cybersecurity community partners Acrisure, Consumers Energy, Corewell Health, and Meijer for their support! Congratulations to the class of 2024!

It may be cooling down, but all summer we were lucky to enjoy local produce from our community garden plot just around the corner from WMCAT! ??????? Inspired by their recent and ongoing work in the local food system,?Public?Agency?at WMCAT – our Human-Centered Design consultancy –?participated in the Downtown Community Garden’s inaugural growing season. With the intentions of improving access to urban growing space and fresh food, Public Agency shared their weekly bounties with WMCAT staff and students. With growing season coming to an end, Public Agency hopes to apply the lessons learned from this year to have an even better outcome in the future. Design work never stops! Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Jade Rabbit

“There’s so many opportunities that I’ve gotten into because of WMCAT and the relationship that I’ve built with [my teaching artist,] Brandon.” ??Only halfway through his high school career, Harry Wepman-Wabeke is all-in on his creative endeavors. WMCAT’s Teen Arts + Tech Program has provided him state-of-the-art technology, professional instruction, and connections to our local arts community. Learn more about Harry and his experience at WMCAT at https://lnkd.in/eqvSUjU3.

When it comes to your next tech career steps, you’re not alone. ???????? Anthony had attempted to break into the tech field prior to WMCAT by completing an educational bootcamp, but he didn’t receive the hands-on experience or support he needed. At WMCAT, he experienced a community of support, motivating him on the journey to his new career as a security analyst. ? Know someone looking for support on their career journey? Tell them to enroll in WMCAT's tuition-free Cybersecurity career training pathway at work.wmcat.org/enrollment.

Thank you to all who made Studio Sips – our creative night out – a success! We sipped, we laughed, and we got creative, all while supporting WMCAT’s mission to provide access to opportunity.???? If you didn't get a chance to contribute at Wednesday's event, you can do so on our website at wmcat.org/donate.

11 eager young adults ? Step Year retreat ? We’re ready to college and career with our newest cohort of Step Year students! This week our students started their experience with a retreat at YMCA CAMP MANITOU-LIN. On their retreat, they had fun with team-building activities and a low ropes course. We are so excited to form connections with our students and watch them connect with each other too!

Exciting news! ?? We’re honored to share that we are one of 112 recipients of an ArtsHERE grant! This new pilot program from the National Endowment for the Arts aims to strengthen organization's capacity for community engagement and boost arts participation for underserved groups and communities across the country. Our awarded project will support WMCAT’s Teen Arts + Tech Program, helping us expand, develop curriculum, engage stakeholders, and build our strategic plan. ArtsHERE is an initiative of the NEA in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. Congratulations to all of the grantees across the country. Learn about all of the grantees at ArtsHERE.org Read more about WMCAT's award ?? https://lnkd.in/eP-KjEmD #USRegionalArts #USRAOs #ArtsHERE

Our newest Pharmacy Technician students are in the house! ?? As part of our Adult Career Training Program, our students go beyond the ins and outs of technical pharmacy knowledge and engage in our personal and professional development curriculum, Leadership By Design. Yesterday we were glad to host Tashuna Hunt, LMSW from Space for Change who led our students through a session on emotional intelligence and healthy conflict, something we can use in the program, workplace, and beyond! Give a warm welcome to our new students!

Join us next week at Studio Sips – a creative night supporting WMCAT’s mission! On Wednesday, October 2 from 4:30-7:00pm, we’ll enjoy cocktails from Long Road Distillers, craft beer from Vivant Brewery + Spirits, and enjoy wine from Art of the Table. We'll also have tasty bites from Martha's Catering and treats from Daddy's Dough Cookies. At Studio Sips you'll have the opportunity to engage with multiple all-skill-level creative stations: ?? Collective Canvas: Draw a prompt and add your creative flair to our collaborative art piece. ?? Button-Making: Craft your mini-design and punch into a button to wear home! ?? Photo-Op: Strike a pose and snap a pic of you + your friends! ??? Pocket Painting: Try your hand at watercolor painting with Teaching Artist John Cox. Learn more + get your tickets today at wmcat.org/studiosips!

That’s a wrap on Grand Rapids Tech Week! Last week, WMCAT hosted three tech week events in our space. On Thursday, our Adult Career Training students took the stage sharing their cybersecurity insights with local tech professionals, family, and friends. The projects they presented were in collaboration with our cybersecurity instructional partner GRC for Intelligent Ecosystems, GRCIE. Our students are just a few weeks from graduation and beginning their new tech careers! #TechWeek #WorkforceDevelopment #socialcapital #thrivingwagecareers #Cybersecurity #CloudSecurity #IoT #Innovation #GreenTech #GRCIE