Art Start
Program: Arts in Health
Area of Work: Arts
Grant Purpose: Art Start Youth Mental Health Initiative
Overview:
Art Start uses the creative process to nurture the voices, hearts, and minds of young people from under-resourced communities. Art Start programs serve approximately 600 youth ages 14–24 annually through creative arts workshops, personal and professional development, and public-facing projects — providing a safe space for artistic expression, positive risk-taking, and personal growth.
Grant:
Purpose: To support the Art Start Youth Mental Health Initiative.
The Youth Mental Health Initiative brings free, accessible mental health support directly into our arts programs. The LCSW provides individualized service plans, one-on-one sessions, goal setting, and referrals to resolve acute needs including housing, food security, and physical safety, and refers the youth to outside services when needed.
All staff have been trained in Healing-Centered Engagement, Motivational Interviewing, and Mental Health First Aid — equipping the whole team to support students’ long-term well-being, not just their immediate challenges.
Impact :
Among the 60 teens and young adults enrolled in Art Start’s Creative Connections program:
- 77% demonstrated increased Adaptive Mindset capacity — the ability to set goals and thrive through change
- 75% showed growth in applied Social-Emotional Learning, building skills in collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking
Together, these outcomes reflect Art Start’s commitment to meeting young people where they are — and helping them build the foundation for a healthy, creative, and productive future.
