The Artists-in-Communities program offers tailored arts instruction to youth in after-school programs, community centers, juvenile halls, and county community/court schools. The specific goal of Artists-in-Communities is to work toward creative learning environments that foster self-efficacy skills, cultural understanding, and engaging discussions around community & social issues.

Artists-in-Communities residencies give what others often refer to as "at-risk" youth the opportunity to develop these skills and experience the art making process through dance (including martial arts), theatre, creative writing, and music activities. Some of our current partners include: Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, ExCEL Afterschool Programs, San Francisco Beacon Initiative, and YMCA of San Francisco.

After-School

The Artists-in-Communities Program recognizes its role in providing quality programming in partnership with both community-based (i.e. Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA’s) and school-based (i.e. ExCEL) after-school programs. We value our community partnerships and work together to shape arts instruction to meet the unique needs of the site and the youth that participate in them. One of the current collaborative projects that Performing Arts Workshop is proud to be a part of is San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth, and their Families Afterschool For All Initiative, which includes partnerships with five San Francisco Unified School District and community based organizations to support diversity in quality after-school programming.

For more details about our Afterschool For All project (AFA), click here.

Juvenile Hall and County Community/Court Schools

Artists-in-Communities has witnessed the power of intensive arts education as a therapeutic outlet for young people who are in need of small, highly supportive educational environments, or have issues with the law, substance abuse, chemical dependency, and/or truancy. Performing Arts Workshop is an effective and tested program that can help resolve many of society’s biggest problems concerning youth. Creative Writing, Theatre and Music, in particular, have provided youth with creative tools for self-reflection and expression.

For more information about the programs we offer, visit the Partner with us page.