Youth Development Program

Program Mission:

The arts are essential to every educational experience. The creativity that art embraces can open the mind and develop a corresponding connection to the community in which artists and those who have an appreciation for art can live and thrive together.

Research has shown impressive benefits of arts education — in student motivation, attitudes, and attendance. Numerous reports discuss the ways that increased access and involvement in arts education encourage students to stay in school, succeed in school, succeed in life, and succeed in work.

Students who access both sides of their brains are found to have higher test scores. In fact, according to Americans for the Arts, students who take four years of arts and music classes score an average of over 150 points higher on the SAT than students who take only one-half year or less. https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/arts-education/10-arts-education-fast-facts.

Although there are many impressive benefits of arts education, not every student has access or is encouraged to explore these quality learning experiences. The VFAA Youth Development Program (YDP) envisions a community in the Crossroads where every child has access to—takes part in—high quality and lifelong learning experiences in the arts, both in school and in the community.

Program Goals

Create collaborative opportunities and develop opportunities for our youth to learn and grow in art education activities.
Develop a shared framework around youth participation with peer organizations specifically for opportunities to promote creativity in youth development.
Educate the community with young grade school through high school age artists through special events integrating their voices and leadership in the community.
Develop a plan for educational activities and corresponding community events.

If you or someone you know has an opportunity for VFAA to collaborate, please contact us at support@victoriafinearts.com

Ways to Collaborate with VFAA Youth Development Program

Partnerships

To partner with VFAA, you can support in non-monetary ways such as promotions in our newsletter, or sharing fine arts programs for youth available to the community.

Youth Development Program

To apply for a grant, you must be a 501(c)3 non profit organization or a for profit organization providing a special program to low-income families.

We will accept grants throughout the year on a first come, first served basis. The committee will review grants on a monthly basis and present recommendations to the board of directors monthly meeting. Only one application per organization is permitted per year. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the committee on a case by case basis.

Existing Youth Development Program Partnerships