What are the Benefits of Design Education for Urban Youth?

A National Endowment of the Arts study demonstrated that students participating in design-based programs develop an increased sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. Urban poverty is associated with few opportunities for development of moral identity; defined as personal commitment to actions benefiting others or the greater community good and civility. Increasing economic disparities between the Nation’s rich and poor are adversely affecting our communities; the results of which are most evident in our urban centers. These economic disparities further undermine political and civic stability because those of lower income lose interest and trust in the common good. The result is increased civic disaffection and lack of community involvement. Programs that provide participatory experiences in community engagement offer youth opportunities to construct and test political identities, while addressing issues and inequalities facing their communities.

Adolescents are seen not only as a barrier, but often as a cause of much of the deterioration plaguing low-income urban communities. Research conducted by the Center for Youth Development and Policy Research and the Center for Urban Community Change reveals this cynicism within low-income communities. Programs that highlight youth’s involvement with community building are shown to improve adult perceptions of youth as both a resource and a community asset, instead of a “problem.” Through the Youthscapes program, youth will develop the skills to contribute to the enhancement of their communities.

Youthscapes will also provide urban youth a forum for expressing and acting upon their vision of a better community. When youth are isolated or not invited to participate in community planning, the result is an increased feeling of alienation and disempowerment among youth. Several adolescent studies attest that the majority of youth feel that their communities do not care about them and that they are ineffective in contributing to change of their local conditions. Programs that offer youth a vehicle for expressing their interests and opinions regarding community issues, and assist them in developing skills for working with community processes have shown to increase youth’s sense of worth, promote self-determination, and even garner greater appreciation for their community.