ARTreach is addressing some of the tougher to talk about issues in our school districts; this includes gang alternative and intervention programs and new urban art programs that support character education through the arts. ARTreach offers URGEWORKS Programs to help address difficult subjects that include drug addiction, drug and alcohol abuse awareness and prevention, abstinence and STD prevention, as well as bullying, anger, violence, stress management and stereotyping.

"These programs are “urgent” and they work!" says Director Chris Gamez. PTAs and principals can contact ARTreach and request these kinds of programs for their schools. URGEWORKS Programs are appealing to students as well because they introduce the urban arts and hip hop culture as a positive alternative to a self destructive lifestyle.

Chris Gamez is the director of ARTreach Programs Development Department and he is also the founder of URGEWORKS Studios. His dancers, rappers and teaching artists are trained to work in juvenile justice programs and with high risk populations. They are positive role models and mentors. Growing up in neighborhoods surrounded by drug and gang activity, these dancers and artists had to survive many negative influences in their lives. URGEWORKS artists have clearly utilized the positive aspects of the hip hop culture associated with street dancing, RAP and the entrepreneurial arts to keep their lives on a path that leads to success. They stayed off drugs, stayed off the streets and stayed out of trouble, and now travel the world as cultural arts ambassadors promoting the positive aspects of the American hip hop culture.

For more information about URGEWORKS programs or to book or sponsor a program for your school or support group contact urgeworks@artreachonline.org Schools in financial need may apply for ARTreach support.