The Wallace Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Wallace Foundation share an interest in providing access to high quality arts programming for youth.

Expanding Access to the Arts

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Wallace Foundation have a multi-year partnership to expand arts learning opportunities for children and teens through the Youth Arts Initiative. Urban Clubs are testing innovative high-quality arts programming by applying evidence-based success principles which include hiring professional practicing teaching artists, building high quality studio spaces and acquiring state of the art technology. Club members that 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. 

Read the research findings of reports commissioned by the Wallace Foundation

• Designing for Engagement: The Experiences of Tweens in the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youth Arts Initiative
• Raising the Barre + Stretching the Canvas: Implementing High Quality Arts Programming in a National Youth-Serving Organization
• The 10 success principles for afterschool arts programs: 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.