Results from the 2023 Boone County Extension Community Needs Assessment show that youth life skill training opportunities, such as leadership development and building communication skills, ranked second among the Top 15 Priorities for the county. According to Allison Hansen, Extension educator with the University of Minnesota, “the National Core Arts Standards assert that engaging with the arts doesn’t just develop artistic skills; it fosters collaboration, critical thinking, social competence, brain development, creative problem-solving, innovation, emotional regulation, creativity, and curiosity.” These are desirable and transferable skills that youth can use as they transition into adulthood and the workforce.

In April 2025, during spring break for area schools, Boone County Community Arts Agent Susan Miller and Assistant Hanna Smith hosted a three-day arts camp for local teens. Students had the opportunity to practice creative techniques across multiple art mediums, including cyanotypes, collage mosaics, linocut prints, and drawing mandalas. Additionally, students wrote an Artist Statement related to one completed work of their choice and prepared their art pieces for an end-of-camp exhibition.

Fourteen (14) Boone County youth participated in the Teen Arts Camp, including 10 females and 4 males, ranging in age from 13 to 17. Attendance at the end-of-camp art show also included at least 30 attendees of family members, peers, and extension staff, ranging in age from younger siblings to older adults.

Thirteen (13) students completed an evaluation immediately following the program. Based on survey results, 100% of respondents reported that they tried a new art technique or medium during Teen Art Camp. One teen shared “I really loved making mandalas. It was super fun to try new art forms that I’d never tried before.” When asked if they felt more confident in their ability to try new art techniques, 92% of respondents reported this as “true.” Ninety-two (92%) percent of respondents were also engaged in artistic activities that advanced critical thinking skills, such as writing an Artist Statement and determining how to cut a rubber block with a linocut tool to achieve the desired reverse print. Additional feedback shared by students included:

“I made new friends easily and got to show off my art.”

“[I liked] the flexibility, the dedicated art time, and it was so much fun!”

“…Letting our art to be controlled by us and giving us the ability to do what we want.”

Source:

Hansen, A. (2024). The Value of Art in Youth Programming. University of Minnesota Extension. https://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2024/04/the-value-of-art-in-youth-programming.html