Description

Youth Art Exchange (we call ourselves YAX!) is a San Francisco-based arts education organization. Our core belief is that art changes lives. For YAX, art is a vehicle for self expression, civic engagement, and leadership development. Over 24 years, we have served San Francisco public high school youth through after school, in-school, and summer programming. YAX youth find a community, a safe space to belong, and a place to explore and experiment through the arts. It is important for youth to be exposed to the arts even if they don't end up going into the arts in college or as a career. The majority of YAX youth - 90% - are youth of color, and most come from low income households. Our programs are taught by faculty artists who are practicing in their field. The majority of our artists are artists of color and reflect our student demographics. Our students and friends work alongside friends and become a part of a creative community. Our flagship programming for SFUSD high school students is free and it is supported by donations and our new fee-for-service workshops and intensives. Our workshops and intensives have scholarships available based on financial aid needs and racial equity. * We have changed our registration system to better manage enrollments and communicate with participants and families. Parents/guardians and students should complete the application together as there are specific questions for both. If you need support completing an application, let us know!