Throughout this mini-brief series, we have explored ten principles that help multipurpose out-of-school (OST) time organizations build and sustain high-quality arts programs. Drawing on lessons from Raising the Barre, Designing for Engagement, and Setting the Stage, we examined what quality looks like in practice, the challenges organizations face in achieving it, and strategies for overcoming those challenges.
One finding stands out across these mini-briefs: high-quality arts experiences matter because they are often the spark that draws young people into deeper engagement. That spark may be a particular art form, an inspiring teaching artist, a welcoming community, or the chance to explore something entirely new. Many youth in our research discovered interests and talents they did not know they had. What kept them engaged was not just the activity, but the relationships, opportunities for mastery, and sense of belonging that high-quality arts programs fostered.
Access to High-quality Arts Experiences Remains Uneven
Community-based youth arts organizations play an essential role in providing high-quality arts experiences. Their artistic expertise and deep connections to local arts communities make them invaluable resources for young people. However, many of these organizations operate on a relatively small scale, and participation fees may place programs out of reach for some families. Multipurpose OST organizations, by contrast, often provide free or low-cost programming and serve large numbers of youth through afterschool and summer programs. As a result, these organizations are uniquely positioned to expand access to high-quality arts experiences for young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
This unique positioning is the central premise behind the mini-brief series. Simply offering arts activities is not enough. Multipurpose OST organizations can elevate the quality of their arts programs by investing in the ten principles we explored—from leadership commitment and professional teaching artists to authentic artistic experiences and opportunities for youth performance and recognition.
But our research also points to an important reality: organizations cannot make this shift alone.
High-quality Arts Programming Requires Systems-level Support
Out-of-school time intermediaries can help build the infrastructure that organizations need to succeed by:
- Connecting multipurpose youth-serving organizations with community-based arts providers, teaching artists, and arts education programs;
- Forging partnerships with colleges and universities that are preparing emerging artists and educators;
- Identifying opportunities for collaboration with media organizations, technology companies, arts supply businesses, and arts funders; and
- Helping organizations access performance venues, exhibition spaces, and other community resources that elevate young people’s artistic work.
These intermediary organizations can bridge gaps, coordinate resources, and strengthen connections between the OST and local arts ecosystems in ways that no single organization can accomplish on its own.
Funders Have a Critical Role to Play
One of the clearest lessons from our research is that quality costs money. High-quality arts programs require professional teaching artists, specialized equipment and supplies, appropriate spaces, and opportunities for youth to share their work publicly. These investments distinguish high-quality arts programs from basic arts-and-crafts activities, and they are essential to achieving the outcomes communities value for young people.
If we believe that all young people deserve opportunities to explore their creativity, develop their talents, and experience the engagement that high-quality arts programs provide, then we must invest not only in individual programs but in the systems that support them.
The ten principles provide a roadmap for organizations seeking to improve the quality of their arts programming. The next step is ensuring that communities, intermediaries, and funders create the conditions that allow those principles to thrive.
We invite you to access the full mini-brief series, Actionable Strategies for Actionable Out-of-School Time Arts Programs by visiting www.researchforaction.org or www.maieval.com. In addition, if you would like to share your experience in funding, building, and sustaining youth arts programming, we invite you to reach out to RFA and MAI. The authors, Tracey Hartmann and Wendy McClanahan, can be reached at thartmann@researchforaction.org and wmcclanahan@maieval.com.