BGCA’s Erica Warren is back on the ClubX Blog, this time in collaboration with Andrew Franco, S.T.E.A.M. & Data Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme and moderator of the BGCA Creates Movement Community.
We’ve just wrapped up the 2026 National Arts Contest and many of you are planning ahead for next year! Before Andrew and Erica share four practices to help you build stronger, more youth-centered arts programs, take a look at this year’s winning work for powerful inspiration:
Creating meaningful arts experiences for teens requires more than providing supplies and projects—it requires creating environments where young people feel ownership, purpose, and connection. As youth development professionals, our role is evolving from directing creative experiences to designing opportunities that help teens discover their own artistic voice. Four key practices can help you build stronger, more youth-centered arts programs.
1. The Architecture of Autonomy
One of the most effective ways to increase engagement is by shifting from an instructor-led model to a facilitator mindset through Choice-Based Art Education (CBAE). Rather than prescribing identical projects, staff create studio environments where youth make decisions about materials, themes, techniques, and creative outcomes.
When teens have genuine choice, they are more invested in the creative process and more likely to take artistic risks. Staff can support this approach by regularly evaluating their environments with a simple checklist:
- Do youth have meaningful choices in what they create?
- Are multiple materials and techniques available?
- Are multiple materials and techniques available?
- Can youth pursue personal interests and cultural influences?
- Are mistakes framed as part of the learning process?
- Do teens have opportunities to reflect on and revise their work?
When autonomy is built into program design, creativity becomes something youth own rather than something they complete.
2. The Language of Encouragement
The way adults talk about art can either empower or limit young artists. Instead of focusing on praise alone (see 3 Things You Can Do to Actually Motivate Youth and Teens), staff should use affirming and specific feedback that encourages reflection and growth.
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a discussion method that helps young people look closely at their art, think critically, and express their ideas. The VTS framework invites observation, interpretation, and discussion. Rather than telling youth what is successful about their work, staff can ask thoughtful questions that help young artists clarify their own intentions. This can also lead to quality artist statements for your local exhibitions and the National Arts Contest.
A “Power Questions” cheat sheet might include:
- What story are you hoping to tell?
- What inspired this choice?
- What emotions do you want the audience to experience?
- What part of this work feels most important to you?
- If you had more time, what would you explore next?
These questions communicate respect for youth ideas and position teens as the experts on their own creative vision.
3. Bridging the Gap: the Professional Pathway
Many teens are passionate about the arts but have little exposure to creative careers. Programs can increase relevance by demystifying the business side of art and helping youth understand how artistic skills translate into professional opportunities. Programs like Media Making: Unfiltered, available on ClubPrograms.org, connect digital artistry with career exploration, and for older teens, Up Next Work-Based Learning experiences can be designed with artistic careers in mind. For help designing a youth-centered work-based learning experience, check out the Up Next Teen Workbook.
Staff can introduce topics such as personal branding, portfolio development, ethical digital presentation, and creative entrepreneurship. Youth should also gain familiarity with industry-standard platforms and tools used across creative fields.
By treating youth artwork seriously, programs send a powerful message: your creativity has value. Whether a teen’s future lies in graphic design, digital media, illustration, photography, or another creative field, understanding the professional landscape helps transform artistic interest into achievable pathways.
4. Curating for Connection
Displaying artwork should be more than decorating walls. A strong exhibition culture celebrates growth, sparks conversation, and strengthens community.
A thoughtful display framework includes documenting the creative process, incorporating artist statements, and creating opportunities for peer feedback and dialogue. Exhibitions can highlight not only final products but also experimentation, revision, and artistic discovery.
When youth see their work presented with care and intention, they experience a sense of pride and belonging. Just as importantly, exhibitions invite peers, families, and community members into meaningful conversations about creativity and self-expression.
The National Arts Contest is another opportunity to showcase youth art. Youth can submit artwork in any of the five pillars: Performing Art, Applied Art, Visual Art, Digital Art, and Literary Art. See Three Reasons to Incorporate Culminating Experiences Into Arts Programming – Club Experience Blog for more information.
Creating Arts Programs That Empower
When arts programs embrace autonomy, intentional feedback, professional pathways, and authentic exhibition practices, they become powerful spaces for positive youth development. The goal is not simply to teach artistic techniques—it is to help teens see themselves as creators, thinkers, and contributors. By shifting our role from sage on the stage to guide on the side, we can build arts experiences that inspire confidence, agency, and lifelong creative engagement.
Join Andrew on the BGCA Creates Movement Community to keep the conversation going with other Club arts professionals, and check out the resources below for more information on how to build a high-quality arts program.
- Youth Arts Engagement Guide – BGCA.net
- Arts Impact Toolkit – BGCA.net
- Lyricism 101 – a literary arts program for teens available on ClubPrograms.org
Want to get a head start on the 2026-27 National Arts Contest? This year’s theme is My Kind of Comfort. Join a kickoff webinar on Thursday September 10 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT (join the BGCA Creates Community for access) and check out the Staff Guide now on BGCA.net.
About Andrew Franco
What are your favorite Arts programs and activities to run at the Club? How do you empower creativity and choice? Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
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