FAWC Conservatory of Arts and Sciences

FAWC Conservatory of Arts and Sciences is a 501 (c)3 exempt, not-for-profit organization, which was formed to provide an encouraging, supportive environment where at-risk and marginalized youth and young adults can develop their full creative potential.

We embrace and incorporate the National Creative Youth Develop research and concepts, which have proven the efficacy of arts and sciences programs offered via outside-school organizations in producing positive outcomes such as enhancing academic, career and life skills, thereby reducing or removing negative socioeconomic risk factors.

In March 2014, over 200 youth arts practitioners, funders, policymakers, and students convened in Boston for the first-ever National Summit on Creative Youth Development, co- hosted by the National Guild, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The proceedings brought attention to the essential work of organizing and unifying the field with the policy and advocacy agenda, Collective Action for Youth: An Agenda for Progress Through Creative Youth Development. This two-page document articulates the purpose and value of creative youth develop; asserts its place as central to ensuring young people’s academic, professional, and personal success; and identifies five key imperatives for catalyzing on the work of creative youth development programs nationwide and their impact on students, families, and communities.

It is a meaningful step toward widespread progress for programs throughout the United States.