Upturn Arts: Paving the Way for Youth Arts Education in New Orleans

In the heart of Uptown New Orleans lies a hidden gem, in an unsuspectingly ordinary building. The goal of Upturn Arts is to create as many upturns as possible – instances of positive experiences. The best part is that an upturn cannot be taken away; it is forever ingrained in the artist. This is the belief behind Upturn Arts, a creative and innovative program designed to teach New Orleans’ youth to discover and enhance their confidence through creative outlets. 

In New Orleans, where tradition blends with innovation, the necessity for robust arts education programs resonates strongly. As a city renowned for its diverse cultural heritage and lively artistic scene, nurturing the upcoming generation of creative talents emerges not only as a moral obligation but also as a strategic investment in the city’s cultural heritage. By offering young individuals avenues to explore various art forms, ranging from visual arts and theater to music and dance, organizations like Upturn Arts play a critical role in shaping a cohort of resilient, empathetic, and socially aware individuals. Amidst an educational landscape where standardized testing often dictates priorities, the inherent value of arts education as a catalyst for personal development and community enrichment cannot be overstated. Safeguarding the prominence of arts education in youth development is essential, ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive creatively and contribute significantly to society’s fabric.

Following Hurricane Katrina, there was a significant transformation in New Orleans’ education system, leading to a period dominated by charter schools, praised for their independence and responsibility. Nonetheless, this shift has highlighted inequalities in resource distribution, as charter schools frequently prioritize standardized subjects such as math and English to fulfill strict funding requirements, neglecting arts education. This focus on standardized testing has raised issues regarding fairness and availability, especially for underserved communities. Addressing this situation involves promoting the inclusion of arts education in charter schools, underscoring a dedication to comprehensive youth development within the changing educational landscape.

Charter schools in New Orleans function within a system significantly impacted by standardized testing and financial standards. To retain operational independence and secure funds, charter schools must exhibit proficiency in meeting set academic standards, often evaluated through standardized tests like the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) exams. This prioritization of standardized testing influences educational agendas, prompting charter schools to allocate resources strategically to subjects and programs linked to test scores, such as mathematics and science. Consequently, arts education and other non-tested subjects may receive insufficient focus and funding within the charter school setup.

In charter schools, arts education often receives scant attention and resources compared to math and science programs, despite its well-documented benefits for cognitive development and emotional well-being. This disparity in focus and funding poses challenges for offering comprehensive arts education programs, with limited resources allocated for art supplies, specialized staff, and extracurricular activities. As a result, students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged or marginalized backgrounds, may have restricted opportunities to engage meaningfully in the arts, hindering their creative development

Local New Orleans organizations such as Upturn Arts help fill the gap. From their website, their mission is to teach children in the New Orleans community “to explore and build confidence in themselves through artistic expression. Our vision is to provide ‘Arts for All’.” Children who attend the Upturn Arts camps are given a safe place to explore their creativity, and artistic nature, and learn to have confidence in themselves, regardless of their talent or ability.

Upturn Arts’ director, Kirkland Green, recently spoke to us about the impact of the organization. Regarding the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Upturn Arts’ program and initiatives, they have a specific DEI committee that meets and thinks about the things that need awareness. “I think a huge thing for me is equity, which is a little different from equality because it takes into consideration that different groups have different access to resources, and that’s what we strive to do here is to kind of bring what we know like ‘oh, this child might not be able to eat,’ let’s provide an atmosphere where they have food because 99% of the time if a child is cranky it’s probably because they don’t have access to resources that other kids do.” Upturn Arts can provide the resources that New Orleans’ youth are often missing at home and in school. 

Beyond physical resources, Upturn Arts makes a point of empowering the youth, providing a safe space to cultivate their creativity and confidence. One of Kirkland’s proudest moments during his time as director was how their camp was able to grow the confidence of one such camper. “I play in the house band for the organization, sometimes we’ll play for the kids beforehand and we’ll teach them a song and they’ll come up and they’ll perform it with us. One time we had this camper who was super shy and did not know her place in the song and what she wanted to do with it. She wanted to sing but didn’t know if she could get up there and kind of have the confidence to sing in front of people. Well, we got to the concert and with a little help and encouragement she got up there and sang with us. The most significant moment of my tenure at Upturn Arts was when she got off stage and told her mom ‘I want to do it again, mom!’.” This is what organizations such as Upturn Arts are all about. They create upturns in a child’s life – moments of growth and success to permanently change a life for the better. Now this girl “… wants to sing all the time when she gets back to camp.” 

In the heart of the city, Upturn Arts is making significant strides in empowering local youth through its innovative arts programs. At a time when arts education is often undervalued, this non-profit organization has been a beacon of hope, nurturing creativity and confidence in children through dance, music, and more.

Upturn Arts operates on a simple yet powerful mission: to provide “arts for all.” This mantra is not just about accessibility but also about impact. A vivid example of this impact is seen in the story of a young camper who, initially overwhelmed by anxiety, struggled to step out of his car to join the Arts camp. His journey from reticence to enthusiasm encapsulates the transformative power of the Upturn Arts experience.

As recounted by Reed, a dedicated instructor at the camp, “I had one student who wouldn’t get out of the car for about a week, and slowly but surely he eventually got through the first door, and then eventually got into class.” This gradual transition from hesitation to participation highlights a critical aspect of Upturn Arts’ approach: patience and personal attention. Over time, the young camper not only overcame his initial apprehension but flourished to the point where “it was the opposite problem; he didn’t want to leave.”

The success of Upturn Arts lies not only in teaching artistic skills but also in its profound understanding of child behavior. The staff are keen on recognizing the unique challenges each child faces, whether it’s anxiety, distrust, or adjustment to changes. By creating a supportive environment, they help students overcome these barriers, using the arts as a tool for expression and personal growth.

The stories of individual growth at Upturn Arts are numerous and touching. Parents and children alike praise the camp for its role in developing self-esteem and social skills. Through performances and group activities, campers learn the value of teamwork, resilience, and dedication. These testimonials not only reflect the personal achievements of the campers but also underscore the camp’s broader contributions to the community.

The implications of Upturn Arts’ work extend beyond the summer sessions. The skills and confidence gained by the campers have lasting effects, influencing their academic performance and social interactions long after the camp ends. As more children engage with the program, the ripple effect through families and communities continues to grow, proving that investment in arts education is indeed a transformative force for societal good. In a city dominated by charter schools that pour their funds and resources into standardized subjects excluding arts programs, Upturn Arts’ is a beacon of hope fostering the holistic growth of students, and cultivating their creativity and confidence.

In conclusion, Upturn Arts is not just teaching children how to dance or play an instrument; it is instilling in them the courage to face life’s challenges with confidence and grace. Through its dedicated staff and supportive environment, Upturn Arts continues to inspire and shape the leaders of tomorrow, one upturn at a time.