Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA To Celebrate National YA Week, April 13–26, 2025

Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA will celebrate National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week (YA Week), April 13–26, 2025, to raise awareness and support for arts in education. 

As an affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA), the nation’s largest arts in education network, Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA will join the annual YA Week advocacy initiative to spotlight the impact of arts education. First championed by Conductor Leonard Bernstein in 1971, YA Week has grown into an annual, two-week celebration of arts in education each spring. 

Each YA Week, leaders, organizations, and individual champions of arts in education come together to support YA Week as advocates and on social media using #YAweek. 

YA affiliates across the country mark YA Week with a variety of programs, events, and other outreach in their respective communities.  

To celebrate YA Week, Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA will share advocacy actions, resources, and incentives. In addition, YA will be bringing 17 artists to 20 different schools and one professional learning session.

Recent Arts Advocacy Actions Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA has taken include:

Actions you can take

ArtPrideNJ and Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania are two organizations that are dedicated to advocating for state and federal funding for the arts and arts education in communities.

As a constituent, you are the ideal grassroots advocate to convey to elected officials how essential arts education is to young people. Your stories and experiences let representatives understand what it means to have the arts in schools. Here are a few ways you can take action: 

“Our research, and national research, show that arts programming in schools improves student attendance, increases empathy and understanding of individuals who are different from them, increases student engagement, boosts confidence, focus, self-control, and self-management, and has many more benefits. We believe every student should have robust arts education, and that professional artists play a critical role in reaching all students,” said President and CEO Michele Russo.

For advocacy resources and more ways to participate, visit ya.org/YAweek.  

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About Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA, established in 1973, is the leading arts-in-education resource in the region, offering teaching artist-led performances, workshops, residencies, and professional learning programs to schools across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With an extensive roster of professional teaching artists spanning various art forms, Young Audiences has impacted more than 15 million children in its 50-year history. Committed to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusive learning environments, Young Audiences strives to ensure that every child receives rich and meaningful arts experiences. Through diverse and accessible programs, the organization aims to strengthen arts education, meet curriculum standards, and enrich cultural life in communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit yanjep.org.

About Young Audiences Arts for Learning 

Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning (Young Audiences) is the nation’s largest arts in education network, serving 25 states and impacting approximately 5 million young people each year. Young Audiences works to support affiliated organizations that are each dedicated to playing a decisive role in young people’s personal, artistic, and educational development. Learn more about Young Audiences and our mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts at www.youngaudiences.org.