Arts in Youth and Community Development
Established in 2003, the Arts in Youth and Community Development concentration of the Masters in Arts Management at Columbia College is a first of its kind in the U.S. It was developed by the Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP) and the Department of Arts, Entertainment and Media Management to address the professional development needs of future leaders in the field of community-based youth arts. AYCD unites grassroots expertise and theoretical knowledge to equip future art leaders with the skills needed to succeed in this growing and dynamic field.
In the AYCD program, academic coursework is intrinsically linked to hands-on learning and leadership opportunities at community-based organizations and public institutions in the youth development sector. A unique feature of the program is a 4-semester intensive practicum in which students work up to 20 hours a week in a community-based youth arts organization, receiving mentorship and training in the practical skills needed to run an organization. The community-based organizations that have been selected as practicum hosts are situated in neighborhoods throughout Chicago, serving low-income, under-represented and immigrant youth populations with multidisciplinary arts programs in writing, performance, music, visual art, public art, media and digital technology.
The AYCD master's degree program works to build the next generation of leaders. The course of study balances a thorough academic understanding of the youth arts field with in-depth experience in community-based organizations throughout the program. The program focuses on three major areas of professional development:
To speak to someone about this exciting graduate degree, please contact the AYCD Associate Director or the Director of Community Partnerships.
AYCD Partners:
In the AYCD program, academic coursework is intrinsically linked to hands-on learning and leadership opportunities at community-based organizations and public institutions in the youth development sector. A unique feature of the program is a 4-semester intensive practicum in which students work up to 20 hours a week in a community-based youth arts organization, receiving mentorship and training in the practical skills needed to run an organization. The community-based organizations that have been selected as practicum hosts are situated in neighborhoods throughout Chicago, serving low-income, under-represented and immigrant youth populations with multidisciplinary arts programs in writing, performance, music, visual art, public art, media and digital technology.
The AYCD master's degree program works to build the next generation of leaders. The course of study balances a thorough academic understanding of the youth arts field with in-depth experience in community-based organizations throughout the program. The program focuses on three major areas of professional development:
- Practical skills necessary for operating an organization.
- Theoretical and philosophical aspects of youth development.
- Understanding of the role of the arts in the lives of young people and the way they relate to society at large.
To speak to someone about this exciting graduate degree, please contact the AYCD Associate Director or the Director of Community Partnerships.
AYCD Partners:
- About Face Youth Theatre
- Association House of Chicago
- Chicago Children's Choir
- Chicago Youth Centers
- Chicago Public Art Group
- Free Street Programs
- Great Black Music Project
- Little Black Pearl Workshop
- Music Theatre Workshop
- Najwa Dance Corps.
- People's Music School
- Redmoon Theater
- Snow City Arts Foundation
- Street-Level Youth Media
- Video Machete
- Young Chicago Authors