THE ARTS IN PREVENTION PROJECTS:
A National Initiative

We have named NEWARC as a model inner city Arts in Prevention Program in development.

Introduction: The arts provide a safe container for all youth, families, and communities  regardless of their culture and differences to express ideas, feelings, and opinions about coming into being as part of society, dealing with hardships, happiness, stress, and illness through creative expression. No other activity allows us that voice. The arts allow us individually, collectively and culturally to say things we might never get to say.

Statement of Need: for Youth at Risk: Youths at risk usually present with multiple risk factors, have poor communication skills, unexpressed anger and mistrust adults. The creative arts can transform the lives of youths at risk of negative behaviors by increasing the protective factors which often lie silent within. The aim of the creative arts approach is to develop resiliency by increasing the youth’s emotional, behavioral, cognitive and cultural competencies. The arts provide options, challenges, and an effective means for promoting growth and change. For youth, the arts provide a different perspective on their lives, a chance to imagine a different outcome and to develop a critical distance from everyday life. Sharon Brady, The Director of the School Based Youth Services at Asbury Park High School, NJ said she wants to incorporate the arts into her programs because the arts makes it easier for them to express themselves and serves as a springboard for dialogue. For families and communities the arts can provide a voice, a way to come together, a way to work in tandem with their neighbors to work on issues of concern and neighborhood revitalization.

Goal: to educate prevention specialists, social workers, teachers, school administrators, politicians, community youth workers, college students and professors, counselors, artists, public health administrators in the utilization of the arts in prevention as a strategy for youth, families, and communities at risk.

To create a network of individuals and organizations that believe in utilizing the arts to reach everyone and work collaboratively achieving our goals of "healthy individuals, healthy communities."

More Information:

Center for the Arts: Prevention at Newarc
Arts in Prevention Blog
Rutgers University Center for Children and Families
Arts in Prevention Project Description (download a PDF document)
Arts in Prevention Announcements (download a PDF document)
Arts in Prevention Continuum (download a PDF document)