In 1997, the Oregon Legislature allocated $450,000 to the Oregon Arts Commission to be used to develop successful arts programs that serve at-risk youth. The product of that funding was the Arts Reaching Youth Initiative, a collaboration between the Arts Commission, the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon Youth Authority, and the Oregon Commission on Children and Families.

Over a period of nine months, the partner agencies researched Oregons network of programs and existing resources to serve at-risk youth. Based on its research, the Art Commissions youth-at-risk working group determined that funding would be used most efficiently and productively if targeted to complement existing efforts in two program categories:

1. Community-Based Programs.
2. Institution-Based Programs Within Youth Correctional Facilities.

This document profiles the 12 programs that were awarded a grant to participate. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $50,000. Based on a Best Practices session held in May 1999 and assessment of the 12 grant recipients, the partners identified four areas of common experience:

1. beneficial influences;
2. artists as professionals;
3. staff commitment; and
4. evaluating success.

The findings suggest that involvement in the arts can have a beneficial influence on at-risk youth because they:

• direct their emotions and the tensions of their environment into a positive, constructive outlet;
• build confidence, discipline and self esteem;
• learn the value of cooperation and collaboration; and
• gain a sense of camaraderie that fosters unity with other youth, artists, staff, and the larger community.

CONTENTS
Executive Summary (Creation of the Arts reaching Youth Initiative; Project Findings). The Projects:

(Alternative Youth Activities; Benton County Commission on Children and Families; Central Oregon Arts in Education; Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council; Lane Arts Council; MediaRites; Northwest Film Center; Umpqua Valley Arts in Education; Very Special Arts Oregon/Marion County Juvenile Department; Hillcrest and MacLaren Youth Correctional Facilities and Salem Arts Association; North Coast Youth Correctional Facilities; Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility).

Appendix A: Best Practices Session.
Appendix B: Survey and Program Inventory Findings.