Creative Action is an arts-based youth development organization serving 20,000 young people annually across Central Texas through in-school, out-of-school time, and community-based art programs. As a result of AFA funding, 16 local teen artists are receiving more than 200 program hours (during the 2017-2018 school year) to research, design, and install inspiring public art projects in Austin.

In Spring 2018, also through Creative Action’s AFA grant, Color Squad will work with Girl Forward (a nonprofit supporting young women refugees) to create a public mural that will beautify a prominent City of Austin retention wall in East Austin. This project will involve several other local organizations: Caritas — to work on a resettlement process for these refugees, American Gateways to host a Know Your Rights workshop, and a Hope & Sesame Cultural Immersion Afghan Culinary Workshop, with a Girl Forward family.