The mission of Urban Arts' Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy is to promote the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students by delivering cutting edge arts programs designed to develop student
voice, strengthen academic performance and position graduates as agents of change in their communities.

Incoming ninth-grade students will be recruited to enroll in The Academy for all four years of their high school career. Students will choose an art form to develop throughout their 4 years in the Academy. Programming will be available
in Theater, Playwriting, Music Production, Filmmaking, Design, Spoken Word, and Dance. Academic Support will be provided through Fresh Prep (UAP’s innovative hip-hop based Regents prep curriculum), Peer Support Groups, Digital Portfolios creation and maintenance, and College Application assistance. Finally, 4th-year Academy students will exercise their leadership skills by leading art studios to middle school Urban Arts classes. The Academy provides much needed support and development for these students in crucial out-of-school hours.

This project funds the participation of one student at the academy for one trimester. The expenses that it covers include teachers salaries, art supplies and community costs

Urban Arts Partnership serves students in Title I (high-poverty) public schools across all five boroughs of New York City. Of the 1.3 million students in the NYC public school system, nearly 15% drop out, only roughly 60% go on to eventually graduate, and within this pool, multiple studies and personal accounts suggest that graduates are not prepared for the rigors of post-secondary education and competitive career paths. Art programs are also especially lacking in these schools due to funding challenges.

Community member details not available yet.

Direct Impact of Your Project

The project will fund the full cost of sending one student to the academy for one fall, winter, or spring trimester.

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

The Academy will host community performances and screenings, approximately 3 per trimester. Each screening will serve approximately 50 members of the student’ communities. Each student will participate in at least 1 community event. Also, we expect the commitment of our students to impact their families (approximately 4 family members per student.)