Fueled by grants for a summer community art program, The ARTS at Marks Garage was revved up to jump-start its own ideas.

But the Chinatown art hub's staff was overwhelmed with ongoing projects. "We thought it would be a good idea to allow artists to work with the community," says ARTS at Marks community facilitator Wiwik Bunjamin-Mau.

So for the first time, the nonprofit is inviting the public to submit proposals for an innovative one-month program to run from mid-June to mid-July. The program is to engage children living in Chinatown and downtown in art.

The program can use any media or formats. Proposals need to include a description and time line; a list of supplies, material and equipment; a simple but comprehensive budget; a target age group; program objectives; and a short bio and resume.

Many neighborhood kids are from immigrant families, so besides giving them an outlet for self-expression, programs should develop their cultural pride, increase their self-esteem and instill sense of place or neighborhood.

Supporters include the Hawaii Community Foundation, Mo Bettah Together, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the NEA Challenge America.

Proposals should be sent by May 10 to Wiwik Bunjamin-Mau at wiwik@artsatmarks.com. For more details, call her at 203-9509.