Provide access to high-quality, hands-on arts education programs (in-school and community settings, during the school day and out-of-school time) that are designed to actively engage and benefit school-aged young people.

Arts education allows young people in elementary and high school to connect to their own creativity, to stretch their imaginations, and to express their personalities. It also develops social-emotional and critical thinking skills and helps youth build connections to others and the world around them. Thoughtfully designed and delivered arts education programs can act as a safe space for that learning, allowing young people to share personal stories, process conflict and trauma, and develop interpersonal and cultural awareness. These opportunities can also help high school students gain skills they will need in post-secondary education and the workplace.

In order for more young people in Philadelphia to have hands-on arts learning led by skilled teaching artists and arts educators, we are focusing on providing access to arts education programs.

We recognize that there are many ways that organizations and communities can contribute to advancing this objective and are looking for Philadelphians’ best ideas about how to accomplish this across the city. Possible efforts may include support for projects and programs, working in and out of schools, that are culturally relevant and make it possible for youth to help drive their own arts learning experiences.

We seek advancements, such as:

• Youth from communities of color, economically vulnerable communities, and other historically marginalized groups feel that a wide range of high-quality arts education programming is available, welcoming, and reflects their identities, experiences, and interests.
• Youth across the Philadelphia region develop creativity and the social-emotional and critical thinking skills that enable them to lead full, active, and civically connected lives.