New Evaluation finds NeON Arts Increases Participants’ Focus and Self-Confidence
The Mayor’s office for Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Young Men’s Initiative and the Department of Probation, and with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, worked with Westat and Metis Associates to evaluate NeON Arts. NeON Arts is an award-winning public-private partnership between the Department of Probation and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute and provides high-quality arts programming to youth in seven NYC neighborhoods.
To plan and execute the evaluation, the researchers worked with a Youth Advisory Group, which was composed of young people with a strong background in NeON Arts. The evaluation team conducted interviews and focus groups with youth, stakeholders, artists, and NeON Arts partners to evaluate the program.
Researchers found that the arts programs offered through NeON Arts were highly engaging and provided opportunities for participants to express themselves while learning new skills and taking creative risks. Participating young people reported that the program had a destigmatizing effect on those involved in the justice system, and served as prevention for those not involved in the justice system.
For more information, you can read the press release and the full evaluation report.
