Since 1989, Arts Council Silicon Valley has teamed up artists with local alternative high schools to provide workshops in collage, painting, writing, music, sculpture and sketching for at-risk students.

"It takes a unique artist to work with them," said Mitsu Kumagai, manager of Youth and Arts at ACSV. "We have to get artists in that can relate to the kids because most of them come in with chips on their shoulders."

By the time a teenager has reached an alternative high school, they've either dropped out or have been expelled from mainstream public school and have run out of alternatives for education.

Art workshops can be a welcome activity for these students, who are often searching for a way to be heard and need extra attention from an adult who cares. That's where ArtsConnect comes in.

Professional artists from the disciplines of music, dance, drama and the visual arts apply for residencies in the program. The Arts Council, partnering with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, works with 16 schools to select an artist who will best fit the needs of their student body. An artist is selected for a session lasting anywhere from one week to eight months, culminating with an exhibition of student art at the de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University and a reception in their honor.

"The students are standing 2 feet taller that night," said Kumagai of the teens' experience showing off their work. "They see the respect and recognition from other people and that's the exciting part."

"Make, Create & Celebrate" showcases more than 50 young artists. Brightly painted masks cover part of one wall, decorated in beads, glitter, paint and pipe cleaners evoking striking images of joy, playfulness and pain. Sketches and watercolor paintings are juxtaposed against clay sculptures and a CD listening station where students share stories through hip-hop and rap music that they have recorded.

There's no doubt that ArtsConnect has made an impact on these students' creative lives, serving more than 11,000 students in 14 years. But some students are also learning the potential business value of art. One teenager who grudgingly came to the program two years ago learned to make mosaics and soon after launched a business creating and selling mosaic tabletops. She'll be graduating soon and plans to go on to college and major in art.

Unfortunately, it looks like fewer at-risk students will have similar opportunities. The state budget crisis and a funding cut from the California Art Council almost guarantee that ArtsConnect will be severely scaled back next year. The program will not be able to sponsor the residencies unless other sources, including corporate and private contributions, can make up some of the difference.

"Make, Create & Celebrate" will be on exhibit at the de Saisset Museum, 500 El Camino Real in Santa Clara, through July 3. Call the museum at 408.554.4528. For information about donations to ArtsConnect, call Lisa Cole at 408.998.2787, ext. 204