Youth Education programs

Youth Education programs Education programming for youth under age 18, especially underserved youth, is a central part of Tacoma Creates. Hands-on, participatory learning opportunities in arts, culture, heritage, and science are proven approaches for positive social and academic outcomes. From creative play for very young children to career-focused internships for teenagers; from classes in guitar to computer programming to glass blowing to world languages – cultural organizations supported by Tacoma Creates are engaging young people and helping them develop new skills and broaden their horizons.
Cultural organizations support and complement in-school education by offering dynamic and culturally relevant learning opportunities, both during and outside of the school day. They offer young people the opportunity to explore unique or specialized topics that aren’t part of their regular school curriculum, and to build connections with others who share their passions. Many cultural organizations offer resources for educators too – helping them expand their toolkit for integrating cultural learning in their classroom. Tacoma Creates supports youth education programs in several categories: Programs for Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) students and teachers ⇩ There is a provision in the Tacoma Creates legislation, called the “[Public School Cultural Access Program][1],” that ensures a commitment to programs for our local public schools. Tacoma Creates funding can support a wide range of work that advances TPS educational goals, from specially designed curriculum units that are part of the regular school day (such as the salmon ecology lessons for 5th graders taught by [Foss Waterway Seaport][2]), to school-day field trips, (including virtual trips to the [Job Carr Cabin Museum][3]), to supporting TPS educators through professional development programs (such as the arts integration series offered by [Tacoma Art Museum][4]). Tacoma Creates funding is meant to increase access to cultural learning opportunities for all TPS students, with a priority focus on schools with the highest levels of need. One particular focus of supporting TPS students is through the Expanded Learning Opportunities program, described below. [1]: /public-school-cultural-access-program [4]: https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/ [3]: https://www.jobcarrmuseum.org/ [2]: https://fosswaterwayseaport.org/ #### Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) ⇩ In collaboration with Tacoma Public Schools, Tacoma Creates supports cultural organizations in offering after-school classes at selected elementary and middle schools. All Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) classes supported by Tacoma Creates are free to TPS students. The 14 elementary schools and five middle schools that are part of the initial partnership were selected based on the highest levels of student need. These programs are managed by our partners at the [Greater Tacoma Community Foundation][5], [Metro Parks Tacoma][6], and [YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties][7]. Tacoma Creates supported the following organizations in our pilot year of ELO work in 2019-2020: [6]: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/ [7]: https://www.ymcapkc.org/ [5]: https://www.gtcf.org/ With the continuing planning for remote learning in 2020, ELO programming may have a delayed start in the 2020-21 year. General youth education programs ⇩ Many Tacoma Creates organizations also offer extra-curricular education programs open to all youth, not just TPS students. Tacoma Creates funding can support arts, culture, heritage, and science education for youth in variety of ways, including: Ongoing dance or music instruction taught by organizations like [Tacoma City Ballet][18], [Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center][19], and[ Tacoma Youth Symphony ][20] Summer camp programs, like the film-making camps taught by [The Grand Cinema][21] Community-based arts instruction with [Fab-5 ][22] Opportunities to work in a science or computer lab through [FabLab Nonprofit][23] and [RAIN Incubator ][24] * Programs with an environmental focus, through organizations like [Citizens For a Healthy Bay][25] and [Permaculture Lifestyle Institute ][26] [26]: http://www.plsinstitute.org/ [25]: https://www.healthybay.org/ [24]: https://www.rainincubator.org/ [23]: https://fablabtacoma.com/ [22]: https://www.fab-5.org/ [21]: https://www.grandcinema.com/ [20]: https://www.tysamusic.org/ [19]: https://tacomaupac.org/ [18]: https://www.tacomacityballet.com/ Many organizations have information about their education programming on their websites, which you can find on the Funded Organizations page. Education programs with open registration may also be posted on the Events page. Information about Expanded Learning Opportunities will be posted on TPS schools’ websites. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tacoma Creates-funded organizations have found innovative ways to provide youth education programming. Many are offering a variety of online programming, and a number of organizations are also putting together physical materials to deliver to youth so they can work on projects at home. Tacoma Creates organizations have also been involved with the Emergency Day Camp program for the children of health care workers and first responders. Do you have questions or ideas about youth education programming? If you have an idea about how a Tacoma Creates-funded organization could support engagement and learning in your school or neighborhood, we encourage you to reach out to them and let them know! If you are a Tacoma Creates organization with questions about education programs, we encourage you to read more detailed information in the Application Guidelines, found in the Funding Opportunities section, and contact staff with any questions.