Author: Ellen Feeney

Creative Strategies for Change’s mission is to mobilize arts and education for social justice through consulting, professional development, community and youth programs. CSC is driven by the vision of thriving, vibrant communities that are rich in arts, culturally responsive, socially just, and sustained by restorative systems. Rooted in the “CSC 3” model of social justice frameworks, art engagement, and restorative practices, Working primarily in Title I schools with low-income communities of color, the arts are utilized to build 21st-century learning skills, including cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, creative leadership, communication, and critical thinking.

Denver, CO

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Creede Repertory Theatre offers a program with professional team of actors, directors, playwrights, painters, designers and stage managers who mentor between 12-16 local kids (ages 10–18) through the process of creating a fully produced original show. Creede’s program, The Kids Show, provides professional-quality theater to young students each year. In addition, several of the older KID Show participants received a stipend, this benefit makes it possible for students from lower-income families to participate in this enriching all-day arts program.

Creede, CO

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Curious Theatre produces powerful theatre that sparks community conversation and creates social change by amplifying youth voices through performances of their work with professional directors and actors. The touring program brings the voices of disadvantaged students into the community and serves as an inspiration to other youth to use their voices and to participate in critical discussions about tough topics.

Denver, CO

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Darlington Fine Arts Center provides high-quality arts experiences for at-risk children with limited or no access to art in their community.   The programs link the core curriculum to musical instruction and include opportunities to learn acting, dancing, singing, and songwriting. Throughout its 42-year history, Darlington has maintained a rigorous commitment to arts for all.  The Art Education Outreach Program provides vital support for nearly 500 children with limited or no access to art in their communities.

Garnet Valley, PA

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Denver Children’s Choir believes that music unites, inspires, and changes children’s lives. Reaching 350 – 400 youth annually between the ages of 7 and 18 through 15 choir ensembles in the Denver area. 54% of the children receive financial aid. The Denver Children’s Choir uses music as a vehicle to bring diverse, vulnerable Denver children together to sing.

Denver, CO

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The Denver Young Artists Orchestra has been providing music education for students 7 -23 years of age for over 40 years. No student is turned away based on financial need for any DYAO program. The funding will support the Musical Pathways programs to reach the underserved in Metro Denver communities in grades 5-12. The goal is to expand services for 15-20 students at a cost of $500 per student.

Denver, CO

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EcoArts Connections brings the arts together with science, social justice, Indigenous, and other ways of knowing to broaden the minds of people of all ages, inspire a sustainable and flourishing future, and find a new role for the arts in the face of global change. We define sustainability broadly to include environmental, economic, social/cultural, and personal sustainability. Our activities include commissioning, producing, presenting, and consulting on performances, exhibits, talks, panel discussions, convenings, and youth programs.

Boulder, CO

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El Sistema offers free music programming, group classes, and instruments to Denver’s under-resourced youth and bridges the access gap to music education. The program serves students in kindergarten through 12th Grade in the lowest income communities: Globeville, Cole, Clayton, Curtis Park and Five Points. 68% of the students qualify for free lunch and 89% qualify for the reduced lunch program.

Denver, CO

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El Sistema was founded to provide free or low-cost ensemble music education to underserved youth. Based on the El Sistema model, it targets the population not typically included in art activities due to financial hardship. Last Fall, a free pilot program of ukulele instruction for elementary school students was launched online. Fifteen students (grades 2- 6) participated. At the end of the 8-week session, each student was recorded performing.

Indianapolis, IN

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Embudo Valley Arts or Dixon Community Players offers Drama Camp theater training for children ages 7-17 in Northern N.M. with the goal to introduce children – regardless of their ability to pay – to the wonderful world of the stage through teaching all that is involved in creating a theatrical production. Drama Camp 2021: Masquerade will focus on masks used throughout the history of theatre.

Dixon, NM

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Expressive Path serves at-risk teens who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Since its inception, EP has provided free educational services to over 2,500 Montgomery County adolescents, aged 12-19.

Norristown, PA

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The Fonesca Theatre exists to amplify the voices of and celebrate the minority communities of Indianapolis. The children’s program for ages 6-12 on Saturdays for a 10-week session to create a safe space to write and produce their own original play.

Indianapolis, IN

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Frequent Flyers program includes Kids Who Fly scholarships for summer camps and community classes. Kids Who Fly was created specifically to benefit youth considered “at-risk” by their parents, peers, or teachers.

Boulder, CO

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Georgia Gregory School of Music and the Summer Music and Performing Arts Camp is a seven-week, curriculum for campers aged 6-18 years old to explore musical instruments and music genres as well as performing arts. The program has provided over 21 years of music education and provided a creative space where at-risk inner-city youth can experience music and the performing arts. Since March 2020, they have provided free tuition instruction to over 120 at-risk youth.

Philadelphia, PA

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At Gibault Children Services currently, over 115 children are cared for on a daily basis in a community-based environment. Printmaking and ukulele are the two favorite programs for the 10 to 15 aged youth.

Terre Haute, IN

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Girls First is a tuition-free, out-of-school program for girls in grades one through 4. The After School program exposes kids to drama, visual arts, and music for a total of thirty weeks of lessons. During the last year, participant families also received bi-weekly food baskets,  along with the art materials.

Norristown, PA

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Girls Rock Philly is a youth-centered music organization dedicated to building an intergenerational community of girls, women, and trans and gender non-conforming people. Through the practice of fearless expression, artistic experimentation, and collaboration, we build the confidence and leadership skills needed to transform ourselves and our communities. Our staff, volunteers, and participants foster a joyful culture of creativity, critical thinking, and collective care in order to build a more safe and equitable world.

Philadelphia, PA

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The project Colors of Columbia North (Summer Art Camp) is dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and fun camp experience for all children in Columbia North and neighboring areas. Youth are provided the opportunity to engage in the arts, wellness, and physical activity. Instruction in art forms such as painting, sculpture, dance, rap, and song are all included.  In addition, children will be able to learn healthy habits through play, structured games, nutrition lessons, and health lessons. Each child will receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Philadelphia, PA

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Harrington Arts Alliance was created to reach abused or at-risk children and to provide a positive experience in the performing arts. The summer camp is a  fun and creative avenue for all of the performing arts. The 2-week camp fee is $350. Funding will be used to help families who cannot afford to pay.

Loveland, CO

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Heart and Hand Center serve low-income youth and their families and address the need for stable, permanent youth services in NE Denver. The Creative Expression program is the creative outlet to express emotions. 2020 saw the virtual space for art programming move on-lin.  The virtual aspect offered a collaborative platform for students to co-create graffiti and build avatars that reflect their strengths and identities.

Denver, CO

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