Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.

ArtShow: Youth and Community Development

Based on ten years of research on high-quality after school activities, ArtShow demonstrates how community based youth programs can provide meaningful experiences for young people during the high risk time when they are neither at school or at home. Arts activities in particular provide an environment that forms identity, provides a safe place for young people to be vulnerable and express emotion, requires discipline and exposes youth to risk and criticism. Four in-depth case studies reveal how arts activities can also develop entrepreneurism. With principles that can be used in creating and developing programming, this book will provoke and inspire.

Based on ten years of research on high-quality after school activities, ArtShow demonstrates how community based youth programs can provide meaningful experiences for young people during the high risk time when they are neither at school or at home. Arts activities in particular provide an environment that forms identity, provides a safe place for young people to be vulnerable and express emotion, requires discipline and exposes youth to risk and criticism. Four in-depth case studies reveal how arts activities can also develop entrepreneurism. With principles that can be used in creating and developing programming, this book will provoke and inspire.

Book
Heath, Shirley B. and Smyth, Laura
0941182525
96
Publisher Reference: 
Partners for Livable Communities
Research Abstract
Categories: 
Arts Education
Community Development
Creative Economies
Creative Industries
Creative Workforce
Creative Youth Development
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
November, 1 1999