Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First provides customized, high-quality, multi-disciplinary arts educational programs to school or community-based sites and educators serving youth 4-18 throughout Los Angeles County to help prevent and intervene in youth violence, and build self-esteem and self-confidence: essential ingredients in helping youth find positive options in life.
Youth or their families are served through a contracting school, community-based site, or agency, and Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First Programs are presented at the contracting entity’s designated site location. Working with administration, teachers, counselors and/or caregivers, each program is CUSTOM-DESIGNED to fit the needs of the program site’s current curricula or community interests, cultural preferences, and the ages and developmental needs of the youth being served. Due consideration is given to administration goals, site requirements, budget and schedule.
Participating youth and their parents are not charged for class tuition or workshop supplies: all programs are underwritten by the contracting entity and/or government, school, foundation, corporate or other sponsor funding, and delivered free of charge to youth participants.
Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First programs in visual arts, music, dance, theatre, creative writing and story-telling are taught where youth learn and live: at schools, low-income housing communities, community centers, juvenile detention facilities and other community-based sites throughout Los Angeles County.
Programs are conducted at these sites by professional, trained Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First Artist/Mentors, all working artists, dancers, musicians, writers and performers who have 5-6 years experience working in their particular discipline.
All Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First program curricula conform to the California State requirements of Language Arts, and the Visual and Performing Arts as a core academic course. Review VAPA criteria HERE
For more general information about the different types of Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First Programs available, click HERE.
Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First also provides Teacher Training and Professional Development in integrating the arts into current school curricula to enhance student absorption and retention of academic subjects.
For more information about Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First Teacher Training & Development Programs, click HERE.
If you wish us to contact you to discuss bringing a custom-designed Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First Teacher Training Program to your school or site, email us HERE.
Periodically Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First puts on exhibitions of artwork created by youth involved in our visual arts workshops for the public. These COOL ART Exhibits provide an exciting introduction into the professional art community for these young artists. By providing this unique opportunity for youth to showcase their artwork in a professional gallery, they receive positive recognition for their accomplishments thereby bolstering their self-esteem.
Donations for hosting this program are deductible to the extent allowed by law, and go to support our other programs for at-risk youth. If you would like to host a Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First COOL ART Exhibit at your school, site, company, museum or institution, email us HERE. For more information about Theatre Of Hearts/Youth COOL ART Exhibits, click HERE.
The Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First COOL ART Store features high quality framed originals and prints of premier artwork available at a range of price-points created by some of our many students, ages 4 to 18, from underserved communities in Los Angeles County. For many of our student artists, it is their first experience of the transforming power of art and the chance to create something of worth. The dramatic results can be seen in our vast collection, which is now being offered to you. Donations made to Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First for COOL ART Store items are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and go to support our other programs for at-risk youth. Check out our COOL ART store now HERE.
Our youth collection is one of the largest in the country and includes hundreds of professionally-mounted oil and acrylic paintings, ceramic sculptures, monoprints, drawings and mixed media pieces. Under the COOL ART Lending Program, you can alternately create your own temporary mini-gallery from an exclusive group of works. We will provide creative direction on selecting attractive, eye-catching pieces that suit the atmosphere and décor of your lobby, corridor, conference room, or office space. Items are professionally-mounted and remain in place for a specified period…after which you may replace the pieces with a fresh new ensemble of works selected from our ever-growing COOL ART Collection. Donations made to Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First for this program are FULLY tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and go to support our other programs for at-risk youth. Free site assessment and installation is also included. Check out our COOL ART Collection now HERE.
If you would like to arrange for a Theatre Of Hearts/Youth First COOL ART Lending Program installation at your school, site, company, museum or institution, email us HERE.
WHY DO YOUTH NEED ARTS EDUCATION? GO HERE for recent research on the critical link between arts education and youth development, academic and career success, and America’s economic future!
