Clifton Cultural Arts Center Emphasizes the Importance of Youth Programs Post-pandemic
With winter break approaching, many parents are seeking a safe space for their children to flourish in a creative yet structured environment.
However, winter break isn’t the only time throughout the school year when parents need their little ones taken care of while working.
The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) could be a solution for parents seeking affordable youth programs.
The CCAC, located in the heart of the Clifton neighborhood, provides community programming and visual and performing arts activities for children, families, adults, and seniors.
“We really provide the opportunity for the community to connect via the cultural arts,” said Emalene Benson.
While the CCAC has many programs for all ages, there are many youth programs to choose from.
From winter Break camp to after-school programs and future 1-day camps in the making, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) has a wide selection of programs specifically for the youth in our community.
According to Benson, youth programs are more vital for the children in our community than ever due to recovering from the pandemic.
“Well, especially right now thinking about the impact that COVID-19 had on everybody, but looking at kids specifically, we’re seeing lots of kids who have been home for two or three years with not really any social socialization with kids their own age and so they just don’t know how to be around other kids,” she said.
Although the pandemic impacted students from all grade levels, Benson explained that the CCAC’s visual and performing arts classes allow our youth to learn skills they might have missed out on while learning online, such as social and emotional skills.
“So anytime they can get creative, experiment, explore and play with art materials is crucial to brain development and just their overall sense of confidence and connectivity to their peers,” said Melinda Welch, an art instructor at the CCAC.
Despite the CCAC being around for nearly two decades, the non-profit organization continues to innovate new programs for our youth.
Like many schools across the country, Cincinnati Public Schools are closed for summer break, winter break and a few holidays during the school year, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President’s Day. With January and February not too far away, parents need somewhere for their children to go.
The CCAC hopes to expand to one-day camps where kids can have a day of fun and creativity during federal holidays.
“So, it is a good option for working families as well to know that [their] kids are in a safe place,” said Benson.
By having a new building set to open early next year, the CCAC has allowed for even more room to expand its youth programs. For more information on youth programs at the CCAC, click here.
For parents who need help with paying tuition for their children to attend a camp or a class at the CCAC, the organization has made a way for all children to have the opportunity to attend a youth program.
In addition to providing scholarships, the CCAC is a Qualified Education Service Provider in the Ohio After School Enrichment Program, according to the CCAC.
This program provides families with a $500-1,000 credit that can be used for a variety of educational experiences. The intent is to support learning for students impacted by the pandemic. For more information, click here.
