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| Arts agencies across the country
have for many years provided arts programs for youth at risk of
juvenile delinquency and other behavioral problems, with the
assumption that these programs can alter the course of troubled
lives. Help Inc. Foundation found that while there was abundant anecdotal evidence of "success stories" among art programs for at-risk youth, there was little statistical evidence that these arts programs can enhance youth development. We recognized that implementing effective programs for at-risk youth required close collaborations at different levels of community. Administrators at Help Inc. Foundation invested considerable time and energy into the development of collaborative arrangements with schools, juvenile justice departments, social service agencies, and community-based groups that serve at-risk youth populations. As a result, we were able to develop a program that is well-integrated with existing programs and services. The emphasis we placed on collaboration and integration also reflected our awareness that involvement in the arts is one small part of a youth's life and that to make a real impact on the youth, arts programs need to be aware of other factors that influence the youth's behavior and affect his or her experiences. At the community level, Help Inc. Foundation works to:
smARTS Program The smARTS Program is a year-round, afterschool intervention program targeting truancy, a status offense, because it is oneof the earliest signs of adolescent problem behavior and is often a stepping stone to more serious juvenile delinquency.  Help Inc. Foundation has
partnered with seven middle schools and one elementary school
throughout the U.S., all of which are located in geographic areas
identified by the local police department as areas with a high
number of juvenile arrests. Teachers and counselors use risk criteria to select individual students to participate in the program. They must be sixth-grade students, living at or below poverty level in areas with a high incidence of juvenile crime. They must be experiencing academic failure, showing irregular school attendance, and demonstrating persistent anti-social behavior. All are from communities with problems that place families at risk. A team of individuals—three professional artists, four caseworkers, and one teacher/counselor—at each school work with the youth for the duration of the program. A social worker serves as a liaison between the probation officers and the youths’ families and can provide smArtS Program with referrals for help if a problem is identified. The families of the youths are required by the court to attend orientation sessions and are encouraged to attend exhibits of the youths’ work. In addition, the youths’ families are actively encouraged to attend exhibitions and presentations. Artists integrate information about risk and protective factors into their arts curriculum; for example, to address the risk factor of low neighborhood attachment, artists might develop the themes of celebrating ancestors or communities of today. During the first year, teenagers received arts instruction in two- and three-dimensional design. Subsequently, the apprentice artists lavishly embellished recycled chairs; created mosaics; designed and installed murals; learned techniques of drawing, painting, and photography; received computer instruction; and studied drama. Media include music, theater, dance, and the visual and literary arts. The program participants are paid by the hour for their work; in turn, much of the artwork they create is sold, with proceeds from the sales going back into the program. In addition, smARTS Program participants engage in special arts activities during non-instructional time—visits to local museums, galleries, and theaters. |
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