Art supports our intellectual and emotional needs and should be accessible to all with no boundaries or limits. As a nonprofit, YAA’s mission is to enrich our community through artistic, interactive experiences for all ages which inspire creativity and encourage an understanding of the world in which we live. Our love and support for our community surpasses the divide from geography, ethnicity, economics, and disability to bring the transformative power of art to all.
ArtREACH (Art –Reconnecting and Educating homeless Adolescents through Creativity and Hope) established in 2004, is a nationally recognized initiative that has served over 1,000 homeless children and families in Broward. ArtREACH provides free, after school arts and academic enrichment to children and teens residing with their families in Broward emergency & transitional shelters or independent transitional housing. ArtREACH is a partnership among Young At Art Museum, Broward County Public School’s Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team (HEART) and Broward shelters. Our goal: To provide a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment that uses the creation of art, academic tutoring and behavioral support to improve the educational and emotional welfare of homeless youth.
CALL (Creative Arts, Literacy & Language Arts) For Early Learners targets the most impoverished community in Broward, zip code 33311, through the development and delivery of visual arts, literacy and language instruction for Early Head Start and Head Start children attending low-income early learning centers. CALL for Early Learners has impacted 215 Early Head Start and Head Start students ages 3 and 4, 215 parents/caregivers and 40 teachers/teaching assistants annually since 2018. The program supports Florida’s Early Learning & Developmental Standards and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework strengthening classroom learning, teacher instruction and parent involvement across all domains.
YAA for ALL (Access to Lifelong Learning, through YAA’s partnership with the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD), has modified museum galleries to decrease visual stimulation and sounds; developed picture signage, maps, visual cues and social stories; developed specialized art programs; and trained staff to work effectively and compassionately. Our goal: to create an inclusive museum environment that provides extraordinary learning and social experiences for children and adults with autism and other sensory integration sensitivities, with the potential to build a community of tolerance.
YAA is honored to be the first UM-NSU CARD Autism Friendly Partner
Sensory Saturdays celebrate inclusivity and diversity through art every second Saturday of the month. All are always welcome to explore and get creative in a safe and inclusive environment!
Girls Empowered
Girls Empowered is an arts-based, gender-empowerment, credited course conducted by YAA at the PACE Center for Girls, Broward, a non-residential program and high school for at-risk girls. Since 2007, YAA has served 40 teens, ages 13-18, in this weekly program, annually. Girls Empowered addresses the underlying issues of low self-esteem, poor self-image and delinquent decision-making – using art to empower a healthy self-confidence and positive self-worth. Girls Empowered grow into confident women, graduates and become a productive member of the community. Each November, Girls Empowered takes part in YAA’s NY style Recycled Fashion Show showcasing and modeling their handmade, eco-friendly garments made in the program, for over 400 guests. Success has been significant for this program as well. 93% of PACE teens and Girls Empowered participants graduate annually.
YAA On the GO! is the newest community initiative of Young At Art Museum. This art-mobile increases access to visual arts experiences and education for homeless and low-income children and families throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. YAA On The GO! will be visible as it travels to parks, festivals, communities and schools in cities and neighborhoods across South Florida. The intent is to spread the joy of art far and wide and unite communities through the art-making process.
YAA At Home is a new digital art initiative providing free art resources online to keep children, families and art enthusiasts artistically engaged at home. Young At Art Museum now brings virtual tours of our interactive art galleries, downloadable art activities and instructive art videos from our YAA Institute to the comfort of your home. Making art more accessible to all. YAA’s team is working closely with artists locally and nationally to create prompts inspired by the art of each guest artist. YAA at Home will keep creative juices flowing anywhere!