Bridges to Understanding student plays her trumpet to help the plants grow for a project about organic gardening. Photo by Tania Westby.
Arts education helps teens become creative critical thinkers. Youth Arts is an annual funding program that makes a difference in the lives of Seattle middle and high school youth by providing arts education beyond the regular school day in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Funds and technical assistance from this program help experienced teaching artists lead training programs and projects in all arts disciplines-from visual arts to theater to dance and film. These programs give young people a chance to shine, to express themselves and to develop positive goals for the future. Youth Arts prioritizes youth or communities with limited or no access to the arts. Funding awards range up to $10,000.
The Youth Arts program most recently awarded $160,000 to
48 artists, cultural organizations and community organizations serving youth. The average award is $3,333. It's estimated the projects will engage 8,697 young people in about 44,000 hours of after-school arts training throughout the city from September 2011 through September 2012.
Learn more about our efforts to put the arts back in education for all students in Seattle Public Schools.