It engages high-risk, low-income students ages 12–24 in a multi-year continuum of design-based programs to encourage academic achievement, college preparation, job readiness, and community service.

[2] “I saw environments that were so profoundly disrespectful, that looked and felt like prisons and that’s when the light bulb went on,” said Publicolor president and founder, Ruth Lande Shuman.

Academic support, career guidance, and life-skills classes are offered through a design-based curriculum that aims to build character, self-esteem, work habits and goal-setting.

[4] The long-term, intensive curriculums offered, not only encourage community involvement, but also academic achievement, college prep, and job readiness.

Lande Shuman said she didn't set out to create a new model, “but what emerged was this applied learning model, which appeals to a lot of kids who are otherwise not attracted to traditional education.”[3] In 2005, it was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.