A New Guide over the Digital Divide

Executive Director Luisa Schumacher serves as both leader and cheerleader for the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT). Opened in September 2005, WMCAT is a little-known community gem educating about 275 at-risk high school and 24 under-employed adult students each year. The program, which links arts and technology to make a difference in people’s lives, is located in the LEED-certified second floor of 98 E. Fulton. Schumacher took over in late April and brings intelligence, experience and enthusiasm to the job.

Why pair the arts with technology? “We use arts and technology as the vehicle for personal growth and development,” Schumacher says. “In turn, personal growth and development lead to great things, like high school graduation, getting a job, and changing the demographics of your family.”

“Anything that helps people see into themselves opens doors,” Schumacher continues. “Students see they can sit down and complete a project or assignment. They see within themselves the capacity to do more than they’ve done before. With hope, action and encouragement people can take their lives to the next level. It’s neat to see students have their ‘a-ha!’ moments.”

Enthusiasm radiates from Schumacher for the program and what it’s accomplishing. Born, raised, and educated in East Lansing, she also brings more than eight years of professional leadership in community relations, communications, marketing and fundraising to her new role.

Schumacher’s own ‘a-ha’ moment came shortly after moving to Grand Rapids and taking a position with Goodwill Industries in 2004. She attended a presentation by Bill Strickland where he spoke about his 30-year-old Manchester Bidwell Corporation program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that became the model for WMCAT.

“I was so excited about the possibilities,” Schumacher says. “I was fascinated with the concept of the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology before it even opened.”

From Goodwill Schumacher moved to corporate and community relations for Metro Hospital. While there she was on the Health Care Advisory Committee for WMCAT which allowed her to track the progress of the fledgling enterprise. A few years later she jumped at the opportunity when the position of director opened.

“It’s mind-blowing how much I love this job,” Schumacher says. “The passion of the staff and their connectivity with the students set the tone for what happens here. As important as the administrative capacity is, the connectedness of staff and students is priceless. In two short months I’ve already seen the positive changes in students. There are major transformations.”

That first year WMCAT opened its doors to interested ninth graders. Working closely with primary partner Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), interested students are screened and recommended by high school counselors and administrators. Ninth graders take two mandatory classes, digital arts and black and white photography. The digital arts class teaches the manipulation of images, such as Photo Shop. Students in photography class make large box cameras from cardboard that actually work. They use the dark room, one of the largest in West Michigan, to learn developing techniques.

WMCAT added sophomores the second year of the program and juniors last year. This fall they will add seniors, and serve all four grades of high school. Classes available after the first year include fine arts, fiber arts, digital photography, animation, cartooning and graphic design. Students from Ottawa Hills, Creston, Central and Union High Schools attend classes at WMCAT after their regular day in school, from 3-5 p.m. Courses are made relevant by various field trips and participation in different film and art competitions.

The Adult Program accepts 24 students every year for study in health-related fields such as Medical Billing Coding and Pharmacy Tech. With a rigorous admissions policy, students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate and prove competency in math and reading. Students range in age from 22 to older than 65. Some receive job training for the first time and others are re-training for a second career. Once accepted into the 36-week program, they find the curriculum intensive and demanding. Supervised by a Medical Advisory Committee made up of professionals from area hospitals and health agencies, WMCAT’s course offerings related directly to the region’s job market demands.

“We will change as the job market changes,” Schumacher says.

The program ends with a nine-week extern program where each student is placed in a 40-hours-a-week job. WMCAT places an impressive 80 percent of its grads in jobs.

All classes are free to students. Funding comes from GRPS, private and corporate donations, and local foundations. The size of donations ranges from small to substantial.

“I’ve never seen anything like the generosity of the people of Grand Rapids,” Schumacher says. “They have knowledge of community needs as well as a passion for getting things done. I’m in my niche here with people who feel as I do.”

In addition to existing partnerships with GRPS, Alticor, The Highland Group, Metro Hospital, St. Mary’s Health Care, Spectrum Health and Steelcase, Schumacher plans to broaden the range of partnerships between WMCAT and the community. For example, at-risk students often need family supports such as counseling, a role that a local mental health agency could help fill. In her new role, she plans to explore potential opportunities with downtown colleges and universities. Then there are the ‘fun’ partnerships Schumacher plans to build on, such as programming with the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.

“We want to build many bridges for students to walk across,” Schumacher says.

About herself, Schumacher says, “I’m a person who loves looking at the 50,000-foot level, but I also love looking at the five-inch level as well. I like to jump from place to place. I’m a pretty exciting and excitable person. I want to take what’s happening at the five-inch level and carry it out to the 50,000-foot level. I bring that kind of enthusiasm to my job. I want to impact one person at a time.”