Arts Corps

Arts Corps is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through arts education. Its mission is to revolutionize education by igniting the creative power of youth through culturally engaging learning experiences. The organization operates primarily in King County, Washington, serving communities including Black & African American, Immigrants & Refugees, LGBTQ+, Low-Income, Youth & Children.

History and Mission

Arts Corps recognizes the transformative potential of art as a liberatory process, aiming to expand opportunities for both students and teaching artists. The organization seeks to address inequalities in arts education, particularly among low-income youth of color, by providing high-quality programming that challenges systemic inequities. Arts Corps prioritizes hiring teaching artists who reflect the experiences and identities of the young people they serve.

Programs

Arts Corps partners with various institutions such as schools, community centers, and low-income housing sites to deliver a range of before- and after-school arts classes, in-school teaching artist residencies, and teenage art internships. These programs cover a broad spectrum of arts disciplines, including dance, visual arts, theater, and multimedia arts.

Social Justice Framework

Arts Corps has developed a Social Justice Framework for teaching artists, which is designed to address race and oppression in the classroom and within organizational practices. This framework is available for use by arts educators across the sector, with encouragement to adapt it to specific needs.

Community Engagement

To sustain its critical programming, Arts Corps has a community support initiative known as Culture Club, where members contribute monthly donations to fuel creative power among young people. This model allows for consistent support and budget stability.

Impact

Research shows that arts education, such as that provided by Arts Corps, can lead to significant positive outcomes, including higher attendance and graduation rates, enhanced creative capacities, leadership skills, and community connections. The organization plays a critical role in bridging the opportunity gap in arts learning, particularly in underserved communities.

Similar Organizations

While Arts Corps focuses on arts education with a social justice lens, other organizations, like Global Arts Corps, use arts to address social issues through different mediums. However, Arts Corps remains distinct in its emphasis on empowering young people within local communities through arts engagement.