Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) Program
Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) is an art and entrepreneurship program designed exclusively for high school students.
Making glass art – glassblowing, fusing and flamework – is the catalyst to teach students the fundamentals of business development and management.
Making glass art – glassblowing, fusing and flamework – is the catalyst to teach students the fundamentals of business development and management.
YES students will make:
- Drinking glasses in the Hot Shop
- Flowers in the Hot Shop
- Stained glass art
- Jewelry
- Decorative works
As they hone their new craft, students learn how to market and sell their products. At the end of the program, they may have the opportunity to sell their one-of-a-kind glass creations.
Our goals are to inspire youth to dream big, ignite their imagination, learn new creative skills, and envision a craft business from modeling to marketing. They will work collaboratively with new friends and fellow young artist-entrepreneurs.
YES students will:
- Learn basic business concepts
- Receive hands-on training in glass art-making
- Discover opportunities for creative entrepreneurial skills and careers
- Become familiar with budgeting, business licensing, start-up costs and fabrication expenses
- Learn marketing strategies
Program Details
This program is open to all area high school students. Classes are on-site in our Newark studios. Students must attend and participate consistently to remain in the program.
Learn more about the YES Program from GlassRoots’ Executive Director Carol Losos, featured on NJ Business Beat.
Fall Semester
Program Dates: Thursdays, January 15- June 11, 2026
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Priority Deadline: January 2, 2026
Rolling admission post deadline, pending availability
Cost: Free
For more information, contact Michelle Knox
Funding for this program is provided by Celia Lipton Farris and Victor W. Farris Home Community Fund, S. Irving and Anne Nevard Sherr Foundation, Common Sense Fund, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Victoria Foundation, Jockey Hollow Foundation, Turrell Fund, and generous individual donors.
