WhyArts?

About the Arts for Learning Blog

Young Audiences Arts for Learning's National blog spotlights programs, people, and perspectives from across the YA network and the arts in education field-at-large.

Engaging NYC’s Youngest Learners - and Those Who Teach Them - Through The Arts

Feb 16, 2021 | Helen Barahal and Susan Barahal

Guest authors Helen Barahal and Susan Barahal detail how the "Create" Professional Learning Series draws on the power of partnerships to help early childhood educators find their inner artists, and by doing so, develop the capacity to create high-quality arts experiences for young learners across the city.

Arts ARE Education: Resolving to Support Arts Education Funding and Programs in the Post-Pandemic Era

Feb 9, 2021 | lauren@ya.org

Young Audiences Arts for Learning is proud to be part of a new national campaign in support of arts education for all students, Arts ARE Education.

Working Toward a Brighter Future: Our Commitment to Racial Equity

Jan 19, 2021 | lauren@ya.org

At Young Audiences Arts for Learning, we are taking an opportunity for reflection as we begin the new year. 2020 was incomparably difficult and painful, yet it has also issued a call to action and brought forth the beginnings of necessary change. While systemic racism and inequity are a daily lived experience for many of us, they can no longer be denied by those of us who have benefited from an…

Young Audiences Arts for Learning Supports Five Equity-Focused Initiatives Through FY21 Affiliate Development Fund

Jan 8, 2021 | lauren@ya.org

Young Audiences Arts for Learning (Young Audiences) has awarded five Affiliate Development Fund (ADF) grants for FY21 to support initiatives across the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network (YA Network) that address issues of racial justice impacting historically marginalized communities.  

Meet Talan Cobb, YA of Abilene's Executive Director

Nov 16, 2020 | lauren@ya.org

This summer, Young Audiences of Abilene welcomed Talan Cobb as its new Executive Director. We spoke with Talan about her background and involvement in the Abilene arts community, why the arts are so important for children amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and her goals for the future of Young Audiences of Abilene.

Young Audiences Arts for Learning Joins 1000+ Cultural Organizations and Creative Workers to Propose Plan for Putting Creative Workers to Work After Pandemic

Sep 14, 2020 | lauren@ya.org

Endorsers include major cultural organizations in all genres, national service organizations, and influential individuals including former National Endowment for the Arts Chair Jane Alexander and Academy, Tony, and Emmy Award-nominated actress Annette Bening

Young Audiences of Maryland Wins 2020 Excellence in Summer Learning Award

Sep 4, 2020 | emily@ya.org

Young Audiences of Maryland (YAMD), the Baltimore-based affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning, has been recognized by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) with its New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award for 2020.

Atlanta-Based ArtsNow Explores Arts-Integrated Teaching and Learning at First Virtual Foundational Seminar

Aug 24, 2020 | emily@ya.org

ArtsNow Learning (ArtsNow), the Atlanta-based affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning, brought 46 educators and school leaders together for its first-ever virtual Foundational Seminar last month.

Announcing New Partnership between Young Audiences and Lasting Smiles®

Aug 11, 2020 | emily@ya.org

Young Audiences Arts for Learning is excited to share our new partnership with Lasting Smiles® Organic and Sustainable “Lip Care that Cares”. Our partnership will increase accessible and sustainable funding for Young Audiences and support our mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.

Young Audiences Arts for Learning Welcomes New Director of Strategic Partnerships & Network Relations, Melissa Gawlowski Pratt

Aug 6, 2020 | emily@ya.org

Young Audiences is pleased to announce that Melissa Gawlowski Pratt will join its national staff as Director of Strategic Partnerships and Network Relations.