getting the right mix - Sustainability and resource Development Strategies in out-of-School Time Youth Arts programs in massachusetts

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious

High-quality out-of-school time (OST) youth arts programs play a key role in supporting at-risk youth by offering safe, productive alternatives to negative influences while building self-esteem, academic engagement, community involvement, and workforce-relevant skills. Evidence suggests arts funding is essential, yet nonprofit arts organizations face shrinking economies and reduced philanthropy. This study analyzes comparative case-study strategies used by five Massachusetts OST youth arts programs to develop resources and achieve long-term sustainability, informing youth program developers and donors.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Research Design and Methods

Program selection criteria

Central research questions

getting the right mix Sustainability and resource Development Strategies in out-of-School Time Youth Arts programs in massachusetts by Christine Proffitt High-quality youth arts programs that take place outside the formal education system play a vital role in supporting the developmental needs and well-being of today’s youth, particularly youth at risk of negative outcomes. Out-of-school time (OST) youth arts programs provide opportunities for youth to learn about themselves and their world while cultivating skills they may be unable to fully develop at home or at school. Research from the past two decades shows that OST programs provide safe and productive alternatives to the streets, gangs, and jail; bolster academic performance, self-esteem, and community involvement; prevent or minimize adverse risk-taking behaviors; and teach skills essential for the 21st century workforce including creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration (Americans for the Arts, 2006; Fiske, 1999; Gargarella, 2007; Heath & Soep,1998; Heath, Soep, & Roach, 1998; National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, 2002; Wright, John, Offord, & Rowe, 2004) . By extension, these studies point to the importance of funding youth arts programs. Despite the evidence that the arts support positive youth development, nonprofit arts organizations face, in their never-ending search for funding, a shrinking economy, a continuing decline in philanthropic contributions to the arts, and increased competition to raise funds from the same pool of dwindling resources (Americans for the Arts, 2006; Keating, Pradhan, Wassall, & DeNatale, 2008) . It seems surprising, then, that so little attention has been paid to understanding the methods by which OST youth arts programs develop the resources necessary to serve their intended audiences in both the short and long terms. CHriSTiNE PrOffiTT has nearly 15 years of experience in the nonprofit cultural sector in Worcester, MA. In 2000, she was named the City of Worcester’s first cultural development officer and executive director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, a unique dual position created to ensure that arts and culture play a vital role in Worcester’s planning and development. She was honored in 2001 by Centro Las Americas with the Outstanding Community Leader Award. In 2002, she received Worcester Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”Young Leader Award. Christine holds an undergraduate degree in Studio Art and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Clark University. CHiCkENS We were studying composition, which is where things are placed in the picture. OUr WOrLD iN PiCTUrES The research reported in this article focuses on understanding the strategies employed by OST youth arts programs in Massachusetts to promote financial sustainability and resource development. Using a comparative case-study methodology, the research team examined a non-random sample of five high-quality OST youth arts programs intended to be reasonably representative of those operating in Massachusetts (see Figure 1) . The team identified commonalities, particularities, themes, trends, and variations in the strategies used to fund and sustain these programs. The findings were juxtaposed with state and national expert testimony and compared to the relatively small body of research on best-practice strategies for sustainability and resource development of OST youth programs. The research team hopes that the practices for sustainability and resource development revealed in this study will resonate with OST youth arts programs that are seeking funding and will serve as a resource for youth program developers, administrators, and leaders. This study can also help to guide donorsand funders—from foundations and government agencies to businesses and philanthropists—who are looking for ways to support youth arts programming. Research Design and Methods The findings reported here were drawn f

FAQs

What is the main focus of the research on Massachusetts OST youth arts programs?

The study focuses on strategies used by OST youth arts programs to promote financial sustainability and resource development in both the short and long term.

How were the programs and data for the study selected and collected?

The research team examined five high-quality, representative OST youth arts programs using a comparative case-study approach, collecting data mainly through in-person interviews with 13 key staff and leaders, with additional observations, follow-up calls, and document reviews.

What central research questions does the study address?

The study asks which sustainability and resource development strategies high-quality Massachusetts OST youth arts programs employ and the extent to which they use best-practice methods identified in existing literature.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious