Active Citizenship via Personal Expression: Building Civic Youth Identity in Community After School Art Programs

Active Citizenship via Personal Expression: Building Civic Youth Identity in Community After School Art Programs

Author: Tatyana Varshavsky
Graduation Year: 2009
Advisor: Owen, Diana, P.h.D
Reader: Sweetland, Julie, P.h.D
Date: 07 December 2012
Link to Thesis: download here .

Abstract:

This pilot study explores the question of how community-based after school arts programming can facilitate civic engagement for youth in Washington D.C. Two programs form the focus of this study in investigating how youth feel about becoming involved in their communities, how they define community, and what impact participation in positive youth development driven arts programming has on fostering both attitudes and capability for engagement. Findings from a triangulated multi-methodological approach demonstrate that after school arts programs which successfully engage youth through elements of hip hop culture can provide an alternative to traditional civic education models in fostering positive civic attitudes and active engagement of youth within their community.