Arts programs in Boys & Girls Clubs have always been an important part of the Club experience. When young people attend high-quality youth development programs like Boys & Girls Clubs, they become resilient, build life skills and live healthy lifestyles. Especially during the pandemic, art has been a place where kids can express their feelings, have fun and be creative during such an uncertain time. The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Clubs of Transylvania County, used a MAKE SPACE grant from Michaels to support creating a transformed space in the Club to encourage interest in art programs and careers in art.  This new transformed space in the Club helped increase the number of youth who participate in the arts programs from 63% to 75% or higher.  

After closing during the initial shutdown in March, Boys & Girls Clubs of Transylvania County was able to open in mid-June with one mission in mind – help kids gain back some of the learning loss but also to create a fun, safe and engaging environment to support social-emotional health.  

The Club’s art program was critical to providing and outlet for young people to express themselves. The improvements to the art space allowed the Club to introduce therapeutic concepts into their summer art program by using art to teach and practice emotion regulation and expression. This art program goes beyond art education, they allow young people to exercise creativity through painting. The Club strives to help youth find joy in the freedom of expression through various forms of art.