Youth Arts Empowerment Zone

What is the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone?

The Youth Arts Empowerment Zone (YAEZ) is a long-term initiative to establish a youth-led arts district in Poughkeepsie with The Art Effect as the anchor arts institution. This initiative is a roadmap for place-keeping through the arts.

The Art Effect hosted the first community festival, PKX in September 2022. This annual festival is one of the first building blocks to developing the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone. The PKX Festival is a building block to the development of the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone funded by the NEA Our Town Grant in the City of Poughkeepsie, NY.

safer neighborhood

The Youth Arts Empowerment Zone uses public arts to make the neighborhood safer, brighter and more vibrant.

more jobs

The Youth Arts Empowerment Zone employs youth in arts jobs and opportunities within The Art Effect’s youth workforce training programs.

well being

Creating a Youth Arts Empowerment Zone in Poughkeepsie promotes community well-being.

Two teenage boys draw with chalk on a blue, purple, black, and pink mural.

scholarships

The Art Effect offers free workshops and programs as well as scholarships to those in economic need improving equity of access and inclusion within Poughkeepsie. YAEZ allows The Art Effect to provide more opportunities to see the positive value of Poughkeepsie youth while reinvesting in their futures.

trash

With the implementation of the YAEZ, less trash and pollution will be on the street.

Slide

Stimulate local businesses economy through increased pedestrian traffic.

“I love the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone because one of the things we need to do as a community is to empower — One another and especially empower through art. [The Art Effect has created] the jump-off point for this area with the new empowerment zone.”
Rob Rolison, Former Mayor, City of Poughkeepsie