A Delicate Balance: Principles and Practices Of Promising Arts And Humanities Programs

VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AND YOUTH PARTICIPATION

Effective programs are voluntary and shaped by youth themselves. All nine arts and humanities programs that were visited are voluntary programs. Even within the juvenile detention center, participation is optional. This voluntary participation comprises an important part of "not being like school." It also means that programs must be accountable to children, youth and families; if the program does not "measure up," the children will not come. For youth, "measuring up" includes giving them the chance to hold themselves accountable for the success of their experience.

Allowing children and youth to accept responsibility is part of what makes these programs work. "It's not learning to please some external thing. The kids are in charge of the project. We give them the responsibility, and they come through every time," says Warner, of the Washington State Historical Society, Capital Museum program. "They make the choice to change because they aren't being made to."