
Our Vision
All young people will have equitable access to opportunities to develop their creative potential, to live richer, fuller lives and develop the critical learning and life skills they need to become active contributors to their communities.
The Creative Youth Development National Partnership is working in concert with the broader field to drive collective action in three strategic priorities to advance creative youth development:
- VISIBILITY & IMPACT: Documenting and Communicating Outcomes and Impact
- FUNDING: Building Pathways to Funding
- FIELD BUILDING: Professional Development, Networking & Technical Assistance

What is Creative Youth Development?
Creative Youth Development (CYD) is a commitment to supporting young people’s stories, ideas, and dreams through creative expression and honoring their lived experience. In order to create environments that promote Creative Youth Development, these three concepts must be present:
- Racial Equity and Social Justice
- Youth Voices
- Collective Action
Our video showcase amplifies stories of youth experiences in leadership, racial equity and social justice, and collective action in their communities — the core values of Creative Youth Development.
Connect with Peer Networks across the Nation

The Creative Youth Development National Partnership seeks to develop and deepen connections among local CYD peer learning networks (emerging and sustaining), working in tandem towards National Blueprint goals of building the field, supporting program quality, and raising the visibility of CYD among potential supporters.
From the Blog
Adultism and Its Impact on Youth and Adult Spaces
This piece originally appeared in the GuildNotes, Issue 1, 2021 Community arts educators cannot authentically amplify youth voice and leadership without intentionally working to dismantle adultism in their programs,
Creative Youth Development National Partnership to Receive $50,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
The National Guild for Community Arts Education has been approved for a $50,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support the Creative Youth Development National Partnership. This project will
Youth Leaders Develop Graphics to Emphasize CYD Values
Young artists and activists from RYSE Youth Center (Richmond, CA) and youth leaders from Re:Frame Youth Arts Center (Phoenix, AZ) held a series of conversations to discuss Creative Youth
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