ARTISTIC (America Responds To In-School Teaching with Innovation and Creativity) is a five-year national initiative to expand arts-integrated learning in high-need public schools serving students from low-income communities and students with disabilities across the country.
The initiative supports classroom teachers and teaching artists in co-developing custom arts-integrated residencies anchored in iconic American artworks across visual and performing disciplines. These in-school residencies aim to increase student engagement and deepen learning in subjects such as English language arts, history, and social studies, while fostering stronger civic connection and cultural literacy.
Over the grant period, ARTISTIC will reach at least 12,000 students, 600 classroom teachers and school staff, and 300 teaching artists across the U.S. In addition to residencies, the program includes robust supports: 50+ hours of annual professional development for teaching artists, peer learning communities, school-based staff training, and partnerships with regional cultural organizations.
The program incorporates principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and builds on YA’s Artistic Teaching Principles to ensure greater access and inclusion, especially for students with disabilities and students living in poverty.
Young Audiences of Louisiana is leading the inaugural pilot site, with plans to scale across 15 affiliate and partner organizations nationwide. An independent evaluation will inform continuous improvement and contribute findings to a national resource library.
“ARTISTIC allows us to build on the success of our current RAISE initiative and go even deeper,” said David A. Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning. “By grounding residencies in American artworks and aligning with UDL principles, we’re creating classroom experiences where every student feels seen, supported, and engaged.”
The initiative is supported through the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistance for Arts Education (AAE) program.
