In the spring of 2010 CMA began a residency program for young artists ages 9-14 to explore the medium of painting. Modeled after classes held at Community Art Centers during the WPA/FAP, two professional artists, Jamie Kelty and Gabriela Salazar, led 21 students in 3-hour sessions for 6 weeks. The classes were held free of charge and brought children from all five boroughs and New Jersey together to create.

In addition to instruction in art making, the students participated in discussions about the Great Depression, the WPA/FAP, and art education. After viewing works from the Kuniyoshi Collection, students were asked to create paintings inspired by the time and place in which they live. The goals of the Young Artists Residency Program were to enable children to explore and interpret their world through their paintings, and to spark a dialogue about growing up in New York City during the Great Depression compared to growing up in the city today.