Princeton, NJ., May 20, 2025—Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) has been awarded a $325,950 grant over three years from the William Penn Foundation to support the expansion of Arts Impact Initiative (Aii) in Philadelphia. Aii is an arts-based intervention model that supports student learning standards through the arts providing substantial and sustained arts programs for children in public schools that have little or no arts education programming.

The Aii program strives to serve each child authentically; YA works with students as individual learners with different cultural backgrounds, learning styles, genders, abilities, and economic situations. The grant will support 10-, 15-, and 20-day arts residencies in visual art, dance, and theatre in five schools per year for three years. The programming will increase student academic and social-emotional learning and impact 425 students annually, in Philadelphia.

“We are extremely grateful to the William Penn Foundation for awarding us a grant to expand our work in Philadelphia. The arts play a vital role in shaping students’ school experiences, and provide avenues for creativity, student voice and collaboration,” shared Michele Russo, President & CEO at YA.

Young Audiences' professional teaching artists utilize culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching practices to deliver relevant programs. They aim to create spaces that validate student experiences, integrate cultural assets, build cultural competency, teach empathy and critical thinking, disrupt cultural appropriation, and emphasize respect and accountability. Each residency includes co-planning, workshops, a culminating event, reflection, and materials. Participating artists offer diverse programs in dance, such as ¡Hola, Vecinos! and Diaspora West African Drum and Dance Traditions; visual art, including Collaborative Upcycled Weaving and Eracism; and theatre including A Story, A Story: ELA & Storytelling with TAHIRA. Visit https://yanjep.org/philadelphia-and-eastern-pa/ to learn more.

In-school arts education partnerships such as Aii provide important creative pathways for students to gain the skills they need to express themselves, find confidence and achieve success,” explained Barbara Wong, Director of William Penn Foundation’s Arts and Culture program. “We are excited to provide this funding opportunity to extend the joy, power, and possibility of art to hundreds of Philadelphia students to be served through this program.”

“These residencies are a great opportunity for our students to have new experiences, and to do so in a fun and enriching way.  We’re honored to be one of the schools that will work with Young Audiences,” said Lisa Waddell, Principal at Anna L. Lingelbach School.

 ###

 About Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA, established in 1973, is the leading arts-in-education resource in the region, offering teaching artist-led performances, workshops, residencies, and professional learning programs to schools across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With an extensive roster of professional teaching artists spanning various art forms, Young Audiences has impacted more than 15 million children in its 50-year history. Committed to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusive learning environments, Young Audiences strives to ensure that every child receives rich and meaningful arts experiences. Through diverse and accessible programs, the organization aims to strengthen arts education, meet curriculum standards, and enrich cultural life in communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit yanjep.org.