BGCA Directors of YD Programs and Innovation Ashley Payton and Cantrell Williams teamed up for this post that draws the connection between some of youths’ most requested programming- Arts- and key focus area for many Clubs- improving peer relationships.
Too often, we think of art programs as just a place to teach technical skills, how to draw a figure, write a poem, or hit a note. But what if we looked at the arts not just as a craft to teach, but as a tool to transform? In out of school time (OST) spaces, creativity isn’t just about self-expression, it’s a relational force. A cypher becomes a trust-building exercise. A group mural is more than paint on a wall, it’s a symbol of belonging.
Creative expression opens a door to connection, empathy, and trust. It can be one of the most accessible and joyful ways for youth and teens to form social bonds and meaningful relationships, especially when those opportunities are designed with intention. In this blog, we explore how Youth Development Professionals can reimagine arts programming as a driver of building community, a sense of belonging, and positive peer connections all while supporting skill-building along the way.
What’s Blocking Connection?
Every out of school time setting should be a place where youth experience safety, belonging, and kindness. But data shows that many youth still struggle with connecting with their peers in meaningful ways. There is a need for stronger, more intentional strategies to help youth build positive peer relationships. While OST spaces are often designed to support social bonds and build community, many youth still struggle with:
- Digital Overload: Constant online engagement makes real-time, face-to-face connections feel risky or awkward. According to Common Sense Media, U.S. teens spend an average of over 8.5 hours per day on screens, often at the expense of in-person interaction.
- Social Silos: Program routines and project-based learning can often group youth by age or skill level, limiting cross-age friendships and broader peer mentorship and perspective-taking.
- Performance Anxiety: Without intentional scaffolding, some youth hesitate to show up as their authentic selves. A report by the Search Institute found that only 29% of youth surveyed said they felt comfortable being themselves in most places.
Reimagining Connection Through High-Quality Arts Experiences
OST spaces that intentionally design creative experiences for youth have an opportunity to strengthen their self-confidence and community connection. It begins with offering consistent access to inspiring art spaces, quality materials, and instructors who lead with both skill and heart. These elements help create an environment where youth feel safe enough to express themselves and curious enough to explore each other’s ideas.
Even when resources are limited, integrating short, high-yield creative activities—like improv games, comic strip storytelling, or collaborative playlists, can energize a space and break down social walls. When these activities are layered into targeted learning experiences over time, they offer both depth and breadth, helping youth build meaningful relationships while also building technical art skills.
And most importantly, the learning doesn’t stop when the project ends. Culminating events, whether it’s an open mic, digital gallery, or the National Arts Contest, offer opportunities that give youth a platform to share their creations, celebrate each other, and feel pride in what they built together.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2025-26 National Arts Contest overarching them invites young creators to reflect on a simple but profound idea: “The Power of Us.” It’s about more than group projects, it’s about recognizing that when youth make something together, they can grow together.
When Youth Development Professionals design creative opportunities that emphasize collaboration, youth begin to see their peers not just as allies, but co-creators – a part of something bigger than themselves. Encouraging participation in the National Arts Contest can be a natural extension of the meaningful work already happening in your program. It gives youth something to look forward to, a reason to create boldly, and a shared goal that reflects the relationships they’ve been building all along.
Make Room for the Magic
Peer connection doesn’t have to feel forced, it can be fostered. When Youth Development Professionals create the space, provide the support, tools, and invite creativity, youth will do the rest. Through painting, digital storytelling, poetry, dance, and laughter, they’ll not only make art, but they’ll also see themselves and each other.
Design arts experiences that encourage youth to co-create, co-lead, and co-reflect. Keep the momentum going by inviting youth to showcase their connections through this year’s National Arts Contest. Together, we don’t just make art, we make meaning, we make connections, and we harness the Power of Us.
Want to be inspired by incredible youth artists from across the Movement? Check our the 2024-25 National Arts Contest Virtual Awards Show! (Hosted by Ashley and Cantrell! 🙂 )
Boys & Girls Club staff can access resources that will support their Arts programming.
- Learn more about the 2025-26 National Arts Contest
- Access high-yield learning arts activities on ClubPrograms.org
- Build staff capacity through asynchronous arts training on Spillett Leadership University
- Learn more about how to create inspiring arts spaces in the Youth Arts Engagement Guide
- Need more support with Peer Connections or Arts programming? Schedule a consultation with a member of BGCA’s Youth Development team at https://bit.ly/BGCAYDConsultations
What are your favorite collaborative Arts activities? How do you foster positive peer relationships? Let us know! Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
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