Study shows evidence that arts education can greatly benefit at-risk youth

The National Endowment for the Arts has released a report examining the benefits of arts education for at-risk youth titled The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies (James S. Catterall et al., March 2012).

The report examines the results from four separate longitudinal studies of at-risk youth engaging in arts education. The authors distinguished populations who did or did not intensely engage in the arts, as well as populations of students of high and low socioeconomic status (SES). They then compared the academic achievement, civic engagement, and labor market outcomes of each of those populations as they related to each other.

The report found three major correlative conclusions:

1. Socially and economically disadvantaged children and teenagers who have high levels of arts engagement or arts learning show more positive outcomes in a variety of areas than their low-arts-engaged peers.
2. At-risk teenagers or young adults with a history of intensive arts experiences show achievement levels closer to, and in some cases exceeding, the levels shown by the general population studied.
3. Most of the positive relationships between arts involvement and academic outcomes apply only to at-risk populations (low-SES). But positive relationships between arts and civic engagement are noted in high-SES groups as well.

The full report can be found here.

"Raíces y Sueños: the Artistry of Cuba" Cultural Conversation

Photo by Sherine Onukwuwe

Building Bridges: Music and Cultural Diplomacy Between the United States and Cuba, a cultural conversation led by Dr. Melisa Rivière, offered attendees a valuable historical piece to the "Raíces y Sueños: the Artistry of Cuba" series. A brief chronological history of US-Cuba musical, political, and cultural interactions was followed by a discussion between Cuban musicians, Yrak Saenz aka Vitalicio, Gloria Rivera, and Doug Little, in which they shared their own experiences, thoughts, and hopes regarding music and cultural diplomacy between the two countries. Following their unique perspectives on the topic, Dr. Melisa Rivière continued the conversation by opening the floor to questions from audience members.

Please join us for our next Ordway Cultural Conversation on February 25th 2015 at 6PM.
A special thanks to Intermedia Arts for hosting these events!

Photo by Sherine Onukwuwe

Photo by Sherine Onukwuwe

Workshop and Lunch with the Cast of A Christmas Story, the Musical

Join the Ordway for this unique opportunity to learn choreography and meet cast members from the Ordway's Production of A Christmas Story, the Musical!

Participants will learn dance combinations from the show while building their dance repertoire and skill set. After the workshop, students will have the opportunity to engage with the cast during lunch.

Saturday, December 6, 2014
Workshop: 10am–12pm
Lunch with cast members: 12pm–1pm
Ordway Center — Drake Room
Youth ages 12–18
$30 per person


Participants will need jazz shoes. Previous musical experience recommended. Space limited to 30 participants.

To register, call the Education Hotline at 651.282.3115.

Special ticket offer!
Students participating in the workshop will receive a discount code at the time of registration for $30 tickets* to the matinee performance of A Christmas Story, the Musical on December 6 at 2pm following the workshop and lunch.

*Not valid on previous purchases or with other offers. Subject to availability. Limit 2 tickets. Scale 4. Expires November 30, 2014.