This Month at Wallace: Leadership, The Arts, Afterschool

December Insights and News

View this email in your browser Insights and News December 2025 What Young People Gain from Community Arts Programs When young people participate in community-based arts programs, the benefits can last a lifetime. But how can that impact be understood in the long term? This new "taxonomy" is grounded in interviews with program alumni that trace a wide range of positive outcomes into adulthood. It can help arts practitioners and educators capture and communicate the value of youth arts participation. Learn more about this new framework.  Helping Youth Explore Their Full Potential "Anybody who has had adolescents in their lives knows that it's like this chrysalis moment when a young person suddenly is metamorphosing into their future selves," says Bronwyn Bevan, Wallace's vice president of research. We sat down with her to talk about why adolescence is such a powerful developmental moment of opportunity and how our new Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents initiative aims to help strengthen high-quality, interest-driven career awareness and exploration opportunities for youth. Bridging Gaps and Building Community in the Arts High-performing arts organizations primarily serving communities of color rest on a foundation of community orientation and high-quality programming. Learn more about how these organizations build lasting impact and how Wallace's Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative supports their work. And hear directly from grantees and Wallace's vice president of the arts, Bahia Ramos, on the Grantmakers in the Arts podcast as they discuss building more equitable funding approaches. How Large and Small Districts Develop Their Principals Does district size influence leadership development? A report from RAND Corporation shares insights from a nationwide survey on the differences in providing professional development opportunities for aspiring, novice, and veteran principals in small and medium-sized districts compared to larger districts.  Behind every great leader is…a killer morning workout, a dance floor cameo, and some really good brunch recommendations. Meet Jean S. Desravines, Wallace's new president, who is approaching his role at Wallace with the same focus and spirit that earned him a brown belt in Taekwondo. Schools, Districts, States   Part two of The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning's new blog series, Four Practices of Effective Principals, explores how principals can build a productive school climate. This article highlights how equipping principals and assistant principals with the right training and support can better prepare students for the future. EdWeek reports on a new analysis showing districts can improve student attendance through proactive strategies like reaching out to families early in the year and sending clear, supportive messages at key times of the day.   Summer, Afterschool, Social and Emotional Learning   New data from America After 3PM dives into the critical hours between 3 and 6 p.m., sharing insights from parents on the benefits of afterschool programs, barriers to participation, and more. Education Northwest's chief research officer highlights why high-quality summer learning is a vital, cost-effective tool to accelerate academic growth, boost social-emotional learning, and advance curricular priorities. Are you looking to become a senior leader who creates and improves impactful out-of-school-time learning experiences? Check out The University of Pittsburgh's EdD program in out-of-school learning.  The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania is preparing high school students for the future by helping them explore the fundamentals of AI after school. The Arts   A new study captures the full scope of artists' work lives—from employment patterns to financial vulnerability.  An op-ed in The 74 argues that arts education is a powerful, often overlooked tool for improving student attendance and engagement, and highlights a Florida program that is working to bring high-quality arts experiences to students who need them most. According to a recent report, American museums are spending a fraction of what they should on marketing. Read about how choreographers are making works that imagine the implications of artificial intelligence. Copyright © 2025 The Wallace Foundation, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: The Wallace Foundation 140 Broadway, 49th Floor New York, NY 10005 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.