This year’s graduating class includes the first cohort of Tyler grads who participated in the Creative Scholars Program as high school students. The Creative Scholars Program is a year-long, full-scholarship art program for talented students attending public and charter high schools in the School District of Philadelphia.  

Through a combination of studio courses, artist visits, and collaborative workshops with leading cultural institutions, students get the opportunity to strengthen their creative practice and build competitive portfolios. The program is made possible by the generous grant from Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation. 

Said Manuel Nunez Lopez and Emily Ramos are two students from the class of 2026 whose first introduction to Tyler was through the Creative Scholars Program. According to them, it changed their lives.  

“Honestly my peers and I had a fun time," Lopez said. “It's something that I cherish. I still see some of the photos we took back then when I go into the office.” 

Lopez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, moving to Philadelphia when he was 11 years old. After settling in the city, he went through middle and high school and was introduced to the Creative Scholars Program through his AP art teacher. Entry into the program requires a teacher’s nomination, and Lopez’s teacher recommended him and several of his peers.  

“We were all nominated because we had good grades and were creative. I believe we were one of the first groups,” he said. “Back then, they were still figuring out how the program should work, and that was a cool learning experience. It was a Saturday program, and we were all committed to going. There were only a few classes at the start, but then it grew into the program we have today.” 

In 2021, when the Creative Scholars Program first began, it served around 15 students, according to current program specialist Tomie Wilson. This year, the program served over 45—triple the number in just five years. Wilson credits the student-focused curriculum as the cause of the program’s success.  

“I think having an outlet for the students to get out of their world for a day helps them grow as people,” Wilson said. “They get to work with their peers, connect with faculty, and even use equipment they’ve never had the chance to use before.” 

According to Wilson, the early days of the Creative Scholars Program were filled with promise and optimism. Wilson was just an instructor then, helping to lay the groundwork for the program while working with students. They taught a photography class and remembered the excitement on the students’ faces during one class when they finally got to use the cameras.  

“I remember taking the students out and having them use the cameras. We were on campus, walking around. It was incredible seeing their eyes brighten up at the camera. Some said they had never had a camera in their hands before,” Wilson said. “We still have printed photos from back then. There’s one hanging up in the conference room!” 

That was true for Emily Ramos, another graduating senior from the first cohort, who credits the program for introducing her to Adobe design tools that would become a mainstay for her development as a graphic designer.  

“It was mentioned that we would have access to Adobe Creative Cloud, which at that point I had absolutely no access to,” she said. “I really enjoyed working with Illustrator and InDesign.” 

In addition to connecting students with tools and technology they may otherwise not have access to, the Creative Scholars Program allows students to work directly with faculty who guide them through studio courses and collaborative workshops at local institutions of art like the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Fabric Workshop and Museum, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There is also a yearly exhibition where students get to showcase their artwork in the Temple Contemporary gallery.  

“We got to experience the courses and workload we would have in college, while having the support of our instructors,” Ramos said. “I think college can be frightening as a high schooler because you don’t know what to expect. Being able to work with the faculty demystified college in a good way. It made college seem a lot more attainable and less intimidating.” 

The program also offers portfolio reviews where students meet with admissions counselors and prepare for the college application process. Being prepared for what to expect in college helps students feel empowered and confident to take that next step. 

“The portfolio reviews were really helpful,” said Lopez. “The faculty aren’t harsh or anything. I remember telling one of my peers who was worrying about the reviews that this process is just an opportunity to improve—the professors arereally supportive.” 

Ramos had a similar takeaway, mentioning how the program allowed her to get a headstart: 

“A lot of the professors introduced topics that I would end up learning in my freshman year, so it gave me a boost. I think all of the faculty were pretty great, if I'm being honest,” she said.  

Through the Creative Scholars Program, Ramos and Lopez explored different career paths and built essentials skills they will carry into the workforce. After graduation, they plan to begin their careers as graphic designers, specializing in UI/UX and marketing. They both shared an appreciation for the opportunity to grow alongside their peers and create memories they will cherish for years to come.  

For students considering whether to join the program, here’s what they had to say:  

“There are going to be people, tools, and a lot of different advisors that will be there for you whenever you need. They’re here to guide and motivate you,” Lopez said. “I still think about my experience and the lessons I learned from it to this day.”  

“I'd say do it. You're in high school right now and that's the perfect time to start thinking seriously about college,” Ramos said. “It was absolutely worth it for me to take the program. So, I'd say just do it. Get in there. It’s a wonderful experience.”  

Want to learn more about the Creative Scholars Program? Work from this year’s cohort will be on display in the Temple Contemporary gallery space starting May 7 with a reception taking place on Friday, May 22 beginning at 5:00 P.M.  

For more details on the Creative Scholars Program, visit this page.