Power of Culture Blog
Invest Meta Settlement Dollars in Creative Youth
Creative Youth Development and after-school youth arts programming should be part of the state's plan to utilize these funds
$1.9M Invested into 84 Creative Youth Development Programs
Käthe Swaback, Program Officer and Kortney Adams, Program Officer
This fall, Mass Cultural Council awarded YouthReach grants totaling $1.95 million, investing in 84 programs across the Commonwealth that use the arts, humanities, and sciences to support the growth and development of young people.
By intentionally centering youth voice, racial equity, and social change, CYD organizations offer culturally affirming environments with an emphasis on self-expression, building meaningful relationships, and ways to creatively advocate for change.
As one youth participant with YEAH! Corps described the impact of contributing to their community mural:
“I felt like I had left my mark in a place designed to uplift other artists. I felt big. YEAH! helped me feel big.”
The impact of CYD’s approach extends well beyond creative skill-building. Data collected from YouthReach programs over the years demonstrate the important role Creative Youth Development can play in supporting young people’s health, well-being, and sense of connection.
Often, CYD organizations may also work to address economic, housing, transportation, and food insecurity in the lives of their young people and offer mental health support and resources through their cross-sector partnerships.
Many CYD organizations additionally offer compensation for work experience in these spaces. Young people build their confidence through portfolios and workforce-readiness skills, developing strong assets for college applications and future career opportunities.
One participant noted that their CYD program offered, “a space where I could express myself freely, grow without judgment, and begin to believe in my own potential.”
According to data collected from YouthReach recipients in FY26, more than 16,000 young people participated in 74 funded Creative Youth Development organizations.
- 98% of high school seniors involved with YouthReach graduated from high school (compared to the statewide rate of 89%).
- 74% of YouthReach programs provided employment to young people. 1,700 young people received paid opportunities through their organizations, collectively earning more than $3 million.
- For the sixth year in a row, YouthReach organizations identified mental health as one of the most pressing issues that their young people were facing. 85% of programs identified this as a top need and took steps to address these needs in their programming and cross-sector partnerships.
This year (FY27) YouthReach provides a minimum grant of $20,000. Applicants that demonstrated a commitment to addressing additional needs of the young people they serve through mental health and/or workforce development resources were eligible to receive an enhanced grant amount of $26,000.
YouthReach grantees represent communities across Massachusetts and a wide range of approaches to CYD. This was a highly competitive grant cycle, with only 40% of applicants receiving funding. Of this year’s grant recipients:
- 45 are receiving the enhanced grant award for providing additional mental health and/or workforce development support to their youth.
- 45 identify as BIPOC-centered organizations or are BIPOC-majority schools.
- 14 have not received a Mass Cultural Council grant within the past three fiscal years.
Some of the recipients new to YouthReach include:
Beat the Odds, Boston – BTO Creative Youth Development Program ($26,000)
Beat the Odds provides safe spaces where young people have access to the creative tools necessary to inspire self-awareness and encourage mental health and healing from trauma through music and arts.
Circus Up, Watertown – Kirkos Community Troupe ($20,000)
The Kirkos Community Troupe is Circus Up’s youth community troupe. Participants address social issues while crafting collaborative circus acts that are then performed at community events throughout the year.
Essex Art Center, Lawrence – Empowering Lawrence Youth for Leadership, Creative Futures, and Social Impact ($26,000)
Essex Art Center works with youth in the City of Lawrence as they create public art projects. Programming allows young people to grow over time, expanding their artistic practice beyond studio walls as they mature and explore how they can shape their community.
LightWorks Collective, Holyoke – De la Luz Technical Arts Institute: Real-World Creative Workforce Training for Youth ($26,000)
The De la Luz Technical Arts Institute allows young people from diverse backgrounds to work alongside industry professionals in technical arts. Participants gain real-world experience in entertainment production, stagecraft, video production, and culinary arts.
YEAH! Corps, Fall River – YEAH! Corps Youth Arts Wellness Employment Program ($26,000)
YEAH! Corps ensures equitable access to the arts and leadership opportunities for Fall River youth. Participants work across graphic design, illustration, storytelling, and large-scale public art from concept to completion, developing creative and professional skills including leadership, project management, and collaboration.