Youth First Artist-In-Residence Program

K-12 STEAM Education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

TOHYF serves youth ages 4-18 and their families in low-income neighborhoods that are faced with socio-economic issues such as poverty, homelessness, and gang-related violence, and are characterized by ethnic and cultural diversity, high population density, poor housing conditions, overcrowded schools, substance abuse, and a scarcity of cultural resources. These neighborhoods are often in geographical areas where there are little to no arts institutions such as galleries, museums, and performing arts centers, and lack the reliable public transit infrastructure needed to reach these cultural landmarks. Additionally, many of the schools and community sites within these neighborhoods do not possess the monetary resources to provide quality arts education to their youth. Consequentially, most of the youth in these areas do not have the resources or tools to positively express themselves and unfortunately fall susceptible to negative risk factors.

The families we serve live below or right on the edge of the poverty line and cannot afford arts for their youngsters but they too desire to have a well-rounded education with arts as an integral part of their child's education. And for that reason, TOHYF goes where the need is and where we can make the most impact breaking down the four-block radius that encumbers the minds and hearts of our communities by customizing, designing, and implementing high quality standards based hands-on arts instruction in visual and performing arts including creative writing. TOHYF Program are presented in 1 to 2 hr. sessions, once or twice for12 weeks on a rotating annual schedule. Youth are encouraged to work both as a group and individually to express themselves through their own creation that are real to them and reflect their experiences and identity. It is the goal of the TOHYF to aid in the development of improved communication skills, coping mechanisms, and life skills in general, along with the effective integration of inovative learning concepts by integrating arts teaching methods into academic studies. Professional Artist-Mentors parallel their own careers as working artist by sharing their craft working intensively with the students on youth and career development issues touching on such overarching themes as communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, violence prevention, personal development, decision-making, team building, skill building, and discipline.

TOHYF overarching objective is to raise institutional and public awareness, emphasizing how arts education is a fundamental link to creating a holistic community. TOHYF's Goals are to provide consistent, high quality arts education workshops and training that: Are custom designed to schools, juvenile facilities and community sites serving at-promise youth countywide. Support and encourage a holistic understanding of the arts for system engaged youth. Encourage participating youth to pursue creative endeavors and/or career opportunities by working directly with professional artists. This transformational awareness will be raised through continuing and expanding the effects of youth participation by providing quality standard-based arts education through arts integration and improving the youngster's social emotional life skills in communication, teamwork, task completion, and the arts, through hands-on application in various art disciplines.

The following is a sample of the outcomes we have documented as a result of our programs. Attendance: Evaluation Forms report that attendance from program participants increased by 50% Academic Performance: TOHYF continuously documents significant changes in participants' grades, attendance and teamwork. Pre and Post Surveys tracked an average increase of 55% in grades, 64% in attendance and 73% in teamwork within the classroom. Artistic Performance: Youth participants show an increase of 100% in artistic ability. Artistic Knowledge: TOHYF shows an average of 35 % increase in basic artistic academic knowledge, based on Pre- and Post-Surveys. Site Educators' Knowledge: Following Youth First AIR Programs, 100% of all participating classroom teachers say that they will incorporate the arts to support their students' understanding of core curriculum concepts. Students who actively make art, demonstrate self-discipline, communication, and cooperation skills with adults and peers.