Arts and Humanities for At-Risk Youth
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-09-29/arts-and-humanities-risk-youth
Afternoons can be long and dull--and sometimes dangerous--for kids with little after-school supervision. We look at local arts and humanities programs that are winning national recognition for using theater, music, and/or cultural history to engage at-risk kids and teach them valuable life skills.
Guests
Quique Aviles
Project Coordinator for Paso Nuevo at GALA Hispanic Theater
Ayize Sabater
Co-founder and CEO, Mentors of Minorities in Education's Total Learning Cis-Tem, known as “MOMIE’s TLC”
Jonathan Katz
CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Ed Spitzberg
Executive Director, Sitar Arts Center
Comments
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DC Youth Orchestra Program is a fabulous example of this.
They just passed the 50 year mark - they offer classes for kids of all ages and income levels. Every year 600 kids participate in the program; many on scholarship.
It's an amazing example of how the arts can enrich kids' lives.
Thank you! Teachers know that moving around is especially important for boys in learning...but we also know that keeping students in their seats is also a school "value." I only wish your guests could help teachers incorporate your ideas while teaching some classes...ie: history comes to mind!
I wanted to say as an alumna of the DC Youth Orchestra Program from 30 years ago, I have friends who are black, white, hispanic and from other cultures thanks to my time at DCYOP. I never realized when I was in the program how unusual this mix of income levels and cultures was. Today, all the students who go through the program, have graduated from high school which is much higher than the average percentage in DC. It shows what a success this program is for the youth of the DC area. And the program is now located in a gorgeous new facility at Eastern Senior High School.
My name is Megan Morse Jans and I direct DragonFly Dance Experiment in Annapolis, MD. We are embarking upon our first after school arts outreach program which is a collaboration between us and the DARE Dance Program. We will be working with at risk youth and we would very much love to hear any sage words of wisdom from your amazing guests! Thank you so much!
www.dragonflydance.com
Yes, there are many positive outcomes for young people in these progams, and many young peope go on to do really positive things in school, in the arts, etc. But also we have to acknowedge that some of the young people have very limited opportunities. We have seen young people thrive in these programs, but then finish high school and not be able to go on to college because they are undocumented or can't afford to and need to get a job. These amazing progams don't exisit in a vaccum and we have to address broader social issues shaping these young peoples' realities and opportunities.
-Hilary Binder-Aviles
As a board member of IMAGINATION STAGE (IS) in Bethesda,MD I wanted to recommend that DC area children take advantage of the super classes we offer daily in drama, dance, film and more at IS. IS is a leader in nurturing the development and creativity of all children including young people with physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities. Our programs are considered Best Practices for Innovation in the Arts. We cater to children 1 - 18 and are very proud of the work we do with Project X, a program geared to Middle school students who are thought at risk. It is a free, after school theater program to help students explore, cooperate and learn to create bonds of trust. We feel strongly that personal creativity through the arts is an essential element in the productive development of all youths!!!
Joanna Caplan - Board Member
As a board member of IMAGINATION STAGE (IS) in Bethesda,MD I wanted to recommend that DC area children take advantage of the super classes we offer daily in drama, dance, film and more at IS. IS is a leader in nurturing the development and creativity of all children including young people with physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities. Our programs are considered Best Practices for Innovation in the Arts. We cater to children 1 - 18 and are very proud of the work we do with Project X, a program geared to Middle school students who are thought at risk. It is a free, after school theater program to help students explore, cooperate and learn to create bonds of trust. We feel strongly that personal creativity through the arts is an essential element in the productive development of all youths!!!
Joanna Caplan - Board Member
Thank you for featuring the important work these organizations do for DC's young people.
A couple listeners asked about funding resources and I wrote about that in a blog posting where I mention the Foundation Center and its "Funding for Arts Month" during October offering resources, classes, and webinars for arts organizations.
Read that blog posting here: http://artsfordckids.org/2010/10/01/dc-arts-after-school-programs-on-koj...
For more information, resources, and events about the arts for DC kids and teens in and out of schools, go to http://www.artsfordckids.org