Teaching Artist Gets Ellies Award To Help Students Who Want Art Careers

A student creates art in the MOCA at the Library program. Melanie Oliva, a teaching artist with the program, is hosting two workshops with a grant she was awarded to help students who want to pursue careers in art. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Oliva)

Melanie Oliva, a teaching artist for MOCA North Miami, had an idea, which came from an observation.

“I’ve been teaching with MOCA NoMi since 2019 – outreach at the City of North Miami Library and Brockway Library in Miami Shores called “MOCA at the Library,” which is an extension of their Teen Art Force program.”

She said while she’s “noticed that while there are some seriously talented students who attend my programs, parents aren’t always supportive of them applying to college art programs.”

A program featuring her students’ work from the MOCA at the Library Program inspired a project.

She applied and received an Ellies Award, presented by Oolite Arts. Her goal? To make it easier for Miami teens to attain higher education in art.

Her project “Get Creative For College” is a two-part workshop series that provides high school students and their caregivers tools necessary to be accepted into college art programs.

Melanie Oliva, a teaching artist for MOCA North Miami, applied for an Ellies Award for her idea “Get Creative for College.” (Photo courtesy of the artist)

The first session is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami.

“Oftentimes my students are unaware that creative careers can be lucrative. There’s still a ‘starving artist’ trope that exists and a lot of fear from parents around their child choosing the wrong career or major, which I understand,” she said.

Oliva remembers her own experience.

When I was applying to art schools, I was helped by a few people, including my high school art teacher, who reviewed my portfolio. My mother had her own public relations  company and worked with a graphic design firm, where I had the opportunity to do a short internship.”

Then there was the family neighbor in Nashville who was an art teacher who recommended the art program at Miami University of Ohio. Oliva took her advice and graduated with a BFA in graphic design.

“I will say, applying for art programs in the late ’90s was a vastly different landscape. Requirements for portfolios were much less vigorous and while it was competitive, it wasn’t nearly as competitive as programs are now. When I work with high school students, I try to impart as much knowledge as possible about future career possibilities, and offer as much guidance as I can. We all need help and guidance to make it in this world. I also think about what type of advice or input I would have liked to have received at their age that I didn’t get.”

Local creative professionals Chris Friday, Kelsie Harper and Christopher Mitchell will speak during the workshops about their careers and experiences at their respective alma maters. In-depth information about the college application process will be provided by local portfolio consultant Sara Haley in the form of a presentation and take-home packet. A free portfolio review by all involved will be offered in January.

As a former creative director in advertising, Oliva said there are many profitable and fulfilling creative careers for students.

An exhibition of work by students created in the “MOCA at the Library” program. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Oliva)

“I saw an opportunity to open minds and help guide families through the college application and portfolio process,” she said.

The Biscayne Park resident and founder of artist collectives Inspiration Pollination and The Artful activist as well as co-organizer of the nationwide Artist March, she was a 2018-2019 Resident with ProjectArt and has also taught art with the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, the City of North Miami, Arts Warehouse, The Frank Gallery, Miami-Dade Public Libraries, Broward County Libraries and The Bass Museum and has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions and group shows.

“The Ellies helped me get this off the ground,” said Oliva. She was awarded a $7,800 grant for her “Get Creative For College” two-part workshop series.

To participate in the free workshop on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. at MOCA North Miami, students and their caregivers can register here.

To participate in the free portfolio review on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at MOCA North Miami, students and their caregivers can register here.

For information, www.melanieoliva.com

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