How Art & Action meets the needs of Evanston's at-risk youth.

Art is a sorely needed character-building activity
According to the Search Institute's on-going national survey of the "40 Developmental Assets" for healthy youth, the character-building asset most under-represented in the environment of youth is healthy creative activities. At only 19%, this is by far the lowest available character-building asset in the lives of youth nationwide.

Evanston agencies see a deep need for high quality arts programming
Since May 2000, when the Open Studio Project relocated to Evanston, the local need for access to healthy creative activities has been very clear. Due to our unique approach to art and writing, we have been approached by a large number of youth-serving organizations to help them to better serve their youths through accessible, high quality, arts programming. Our neighborhood collaborations help all of us to better serve the whole teen.

Each of our collaborative partners addresses youth from different at-risk categories
Y.O.U. addresses the many needs of low- income youth and their families who can't afford high-quality after-school programming. Family Focus addresses the needs of teen mothers who have a high risk for dropping out of school and of repeat pregnancy. P.E.E.R. Services addresses needs of youth who are at-risk for substance abuse. Evanston Police Department Youth Services addresses behavior that has brought teens into contact with the law.

The Open Studio Process is versatile enough to help with diverse social risk factors
The Open Studio Process is very flexible and works to support and empower people in a wide range of circumstances. Within our after-school programs, we tailor specific objectives to the issues and needs the participating youth have in common. For example, in our program with the Police Department, objectives would be for participants to show increased skill in anger management, strengthened empathy, and greater conflict resolution skills.

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