What does "Art is Education" mean at the REACH Ashland Youth Center?

Since 2013, the Arts & Creativity/SEL Program at the REACH Ashland Youth Center has been a beacon for creativity, building community, and opportunity for Alameda County youth and families. This program, originally founded and developed by the Alameda County Arts Commission, was adopted by the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) in effort to further integrate arts and creativity into educational programs provided to Alameda County underserved youth in this area.

Now a program of the ACOE's Social-Emotional Learning Department, this vital program promotes physical, mental, emotional, and social health so that youth can feel safe and supported on their academic journey and in life. The Arts and Creativity/SEL Program at REACH provides opportunities for creative self-expression through classes, projects and activities that are designed with themes that are relevant to youth, and that develop 21st century life skills such as group collaboration, problem-solving and positive decision making. Through the creative practice, youth build their self-confidence and build skills to prepare for more difficult projects, while the themes addressed in programming contribute to youth development.

Every March– and throughout the year– our program, staff, youth interns and participants acknowledge that Art IS Education and advocate to legislators, school board members, and stakeholders that the arts matter to them!

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to hinder in-person instruction or social activities for most youth in California and across the country, the Arts & Creativity program at the REACH Ashland Youth Center has been providing free, safe, and vital Arts programming for Alameda County residents, along with integrated academic support help, and health wellness social emotional dialogs.

Because Art IS Education...and so much more.

For more information visit reachashland.org