Arts Corps partners with Southwest Youth & Family Services for their expanded learning program, New Futures.
This out-of-school support is provided at 4 affordable housing communities in South King County where students and their families live, work, and go to school. The program focuses on:
- academic support for students in grades 1- 12 to help build skills needed for school success, and typically includes literacy and math tutoring, homework help, English Language Learner (ELL) services;
- enrichment activities such as arts, STEM, outdoor recreation, and field trips that increase access to opportunities while promoting social-emotional learning;
- youth development activities in which youth take on leadership roles in program planning, community service, and tutoring; and
- family advocacy in which a dedicated Advocate works with families to meet their needs in areas such as translation, transportation, breaking down institutional barriers, and engaging in their children’s education.
As part of the program’s enrichment, Arts Corps offers 2 onsite arts classes per site every quarter during the school year, and 2-week intensive classes during the summer.
Spanning a broad range of creative disciplines including dance, visual arts, theatre, music, and digital media arts, these classes develop artistry, leadership, and other essential skills such as critical thinking, imagination, collaboration, creativity, and cultivate a growth mindset among youth participants.
Classes are taught by teaching artists who reflect the students and their community, including languages spoken whenever possible.
The New Futures’ holistic, place-based model allows Arts Corps to nurture meaningful connections with young people and their families.
