The Building Arts Institute designed is to stem the loss of traditional art forms and address the long term problems of abandoned and derelict historic buildings in the town of Frederiksted. CHANT will develop a local school, the Building Arts Institute, to provide the education and training necessary for local residents to be eligible for the historic preservation investments planned in the years to come.

Target Student Population: Residents between the ages of 16 –30 who are unemployed, underemployed and seeking skills training to secure permanent employment and or self-employment.

No. of Students to be Trained: Each twelve-week intensive class will serve 8-10students. Programs will be structured as introductory, intermediate and advanced studies.

Programs Engage Participants and deliver the exact skills required for each profession. The model is immersive and intensive. Focus on traditional woodworking, stone masonry, intro to metalsmithing and fiber, (weaving/caneing).

A focus on specialized training modules integrates technical, behavioral, and mind-set skills required where on-the-job failure is more likely to occur.

Assessment is done on a regular basis, ensuring that problems are identified and addressed. Students must show mastery of all necessary skills.

Instruction is delivered in many different ways. In addition to conventional in-person classroom instruction, online, video, and mobile methods are all used.