How to build and sustain high-quality arts programs for all youth Expanding Access to High-Quality Afterschool Arts Programming All youth benefit from involvement in the arts, but young people in historically marginalized communities often have fewer opportunities to experience high-quality arts programming due to cuts in arts education that disproportionately impact their schools. Even when arts programs are offered after school, they often focus on arts and crafts rather than programs that encourage original artwork and develop artistic skills. Research for Action (RFA) published a new study, Setting the Stage: Practical Ideas for Implementing High-Quality Arts Programming, which shares lessons from five afterschool organizations that attempted to address these gaps in access to high-quality arts programming. The programs were part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Youth Art Initiative, which was designed to offer low-cost out-of-school time programs in under-resourced communities. During the course of the study, they created new arts programs and increased the quality of existing arts programming aligned to the 10 Success Principles of high-quality arts programs. The organizations laid the foundation for high-quality arts programming by: hiring professional teaching artists, purchasing high-quality materials and equipment, and creating dedicated and inspiring arts spaces. Among these foundational elements, professional teaching artists were the non-negotiable ingredient. While high-quality arts programs require an investment of resources, these organizations tested strategies to keep costs manageable so they could make high-quality arts opportunities available to more young people in their network. In addition to promising practices in the hiring and retaining of artists, these strategies included creative ways to source materials, equipment, and space. The report also shares practices, such as scripted lessons and secondhand equipment, that undermined quality and sustainability. Funded by the Wallace Foundation, the report contains action items for multipurpose out-of-school time organizations to create a solid infrastructure to elevate the quality of their arts programming at a sustainable cost and to replicate the programs across multiple sites. For more learnings from this project, be sure to visit RFA's website, and use the links below to share the report with your colleagues.   Share the Report #ALERT - Setting the Stage: Practical Ideas for Implementing High-Quality Arts Programming - the new report by @Research4Action is out now. Learn how @BGCA_Clubs transformed arts education for underserved youth. [link removed] Post on TwitterX Investing in arts programming is investing in our future. Discover how afterschool organizations are closing the gap in access to high-quality arts programs in a #justpublished @Research4Action report. [link removed] Post on TwitterX Discover the keys to building high-quality and sustainable afterschool arts programs in underserved communities. A new @Research4Action study funded by @WallaceFdn offers lessons learned on what works and what doesn’t. [link removed] Post on TwitterX All youth benefit from the arts, but young people in marginalized communities often have less access. New @Research4Action research shows how out-of-school time orgs can elevate the quality of their arts programming and sustain it. [link removed] Post on TwitterX   2023 © Research for Action | Website   Research for Action | Land Title Building, 100 South Broad Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19110 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!