Expanding Access to the Arts

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and The Wallace Foundation have entered into a multi-year partnership to expand arts learning opportunities for children and teens through the Youth Arts Initiative. Through the Youth Arts Initiative, Clubs implement innovative high-quality arts programming by applying success principles that include hiring professional practicing teaching artists, building high-quality studio spaces and acquiring state-of-the-art technology. Club members who participate in the Youth Arts Initiative report higher levels of engagement and artistic skills, which enhances academic performance and the development of vital skills needed for graduation from high school.

Read the research findings of reports commissioned by The Wallace Foundation

• Raising the Barre + Stretching the Canvas: Implementing High Quality Arts Programming in a National Youth-Serving Organization
• Something to Say: Success Principles for Afterschool Arts Programs from Urban Youth and Other Experts

About The Wallace Foundation

Based in New York City, The Wallace Foundation is a national philanthropy that seeks to improve education and enrichment for disadvantaged children. The foundation has an unusual approach: funding projects to test innovative ideas for solving important social problems, conducting research to find out what works and what doesn't and to fill key knowledge gaps – and then communicating the results to help others.