Young Audiences Arts for Learning

About Us

Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) is the nation's oldest and largest arts in education learning network, serving more than 5 million children and youth across the country each year. We believe that the arts, from music to media arts and storytelling to sound engineering, are vital to the education and social emotional development of all students. Our mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.

Young Audiences Arts for Learning, Inc. (YAI), the YA national headquarters based in New York City, helps the network of nearly 30 YA affiliates play a decisive role in all young people’s education and development. YAI builds and sustains capacity of the YA affiliate network in such areas as leadership, teaching artist development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, leading professional learning and driving cross-affiliate collaborative programs. YAI provides grant opportunities for affiliates to foster development of innovative practices and convenes the network through annual conferences and leadership forums. For more information about Young Audiences, please visit: http://www.ya.org

Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access

Young Audiences is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in all areas of our work, while furthering education, engagement, and action around these principles across our affiliate network. DEIA is a core focus of network leadership convenings, professional learning programs, national initiatives, and advocacy efforts. We know that the health, vitality, and ultimate success of Young Audiences is dependent upon the participation of people from a variety of backgrounds at all levels of the organization. YAI has made a long-term commitment to maintain and increase diversity in board membership, staff, programs, and artists, while fostering a dynamic and supportive work culture that values diversity, inclusion, and respect.