Client Spotlight: Young Audiences Arts for Learning

Every child deserves access to the arts, not as an add-on, but as a core part of how they learn, grow, and see themselves as capable, creative people.

That’s the belief driving Young Audiences, the nation’s oldest and largest arts-in-education network. Founded in 1952, YA reaches approximately 5 million children each year through local affiliates that connect schools and communities with teaching artists in music, media arts, storytelling, and more. YA is also a leading voice for arts education policy, and in 2026 helped secure a U.S. House Resolution designating National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week.

Metis is proud to serve as YA’s evaluation partner on two national initiatives:

• RAISE: a five-year, U.S. Department of Education-funded evaluation that tracked growth from 1 affiliate in Year 1 to 18 affiliates and 38 schools by Year 5.
• ARTISTIC: a five-year, $4.4 million Department of Education initiative building on RAISE, now expanding arts-integrated residencies to at least 12,000 students, 600 teachers and staff, and 300 teaching artists across 15 affiliates.

The results speak for themselves. RAISE teaching artists reported large, statistically significant gains in confidence and practice, with 88% planning to keep using new strategies. 3 in 4 classroom teachers adopted new arts-based strategies of their own, and teachers reported stronger student relationship skills, social awareness, and self-management.

We thank the YA team and affiliates nationwide for expanding what arts education can mean for children and communities everywhere.

You can learn more about how Metis supports Arts Education & Engagement.