This past year, the High School of Art and Design introduced a new pilot program through the Arts Youth Education Program (AYEP) based on the online site Etsy. The program aims to encourage and teach juniors and seniors about entrepreneurship and how to turn their creative work into successful careers through hands-on lessons with online platforms like Etsy.
The program integrates Career and Financial Management (CFM) lessons to prepare students for the real world while emphasizing the value of their art—a crucial aspect often overlooked by art schools.
“Understanding how to be your own business person, your own representative, and the value of your work, those things matter,” said Principal Maximillian Re-Sugiura. “Art isn’t just a hobby; it’s a pathway to a better career, university, and opportunities.” Assistant Principal Ian Pasetsky added, “It’s something that’s valuable.”
Re-Sugiura mentioned that the program is intended to expand to other schools, addressing a gap in educational values where many students worldwide are unprepared for the real world.
“My goal for the program was never to have something that was purely art and design. I was really bothered more by the fact that students at schools, unlike ours, have no idea what to do with their art in general,” Re-Sugiura said. “If you go outside of here, there are 50, 60, 70 thousand students in New York City schools who want to be small business owners, who may want to sell on Etsy or other platforms and have no idea how to do it.” This program gives students a head start.
The program’s intentions are sincere, aiming to give everyone the opportunity to succeed in life without abandoning their passions to “grow up.” Many students expressed excitement about gaining insights into the real world and learning how to manage their futures.
“I was initially surprised, but the moment I heard money was involved, I was like, ‘F— YEAH BRO!’” said junior Naierah Pacheco, an animation major. “The lessons they gave us were on how to price and tax our stuff and how to properly display all our work, which we aren’t really taught.”
Despite its potential, the program also presented challenges. Many students found it difficult to manage this new workload alongside their schoolwork and other commitments like graduation, leaving them overwhelmed. Factors like graduation or senior dues made the program feel burdensome.
“I think it was that it gave us extra homework on top of what we already had. Even though it usually wasn’t much, some assignments were super tedious. So you can imagine how that conflicts with already given schoolwork,” said Naierah.
Other students shared similar experiences, feeling rushed to complete assignments for grades.
Junior Ari Polanco, a photography major, shared, “It was rushed for some classes and others were left behind. It could’ve been more organized.” She added, “I didn’t end up getting an Etsy shop.”
Students shared mixed feelings about the program, leading to a student-made petition to make participation optional rather than mandatory.
One student said, “It was hashtag unreasonable because it was sprung on us and we were required to do it for a grade. It wasn’t a voluntary thing, which was insane.”
Staff and administrators acknowledged the petition and are working to improve the program for next year’s participants, taking student feedback into account.
“I feel like it needs to grow a little bit more before we open it up to the world,” said Pasetsky.