Education

How does a city aspire to be livable when the outside public seemingly brands it as ‘dying?’ How does the city grow when it is told that is 'shrinking’? With eyes that are turning away from the core industrial cities and onto the technological hubs of the twenty-first century: can the city sustain itself?

For Mayor Jay Williams of Youngstown, OH, hearing his city being labeled by Forbes Magazine as one of  Americas 10 Fastest-Dying Cities, inspired him to take the city in a new direction; one that leveraged successful development upon its own definition.

At the “Building Livable Communities” forum held at Washington, DC's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on September 22, 2010, Mayor Williams held a detailed discussion on how civic institutions in Youngstown redefined their role to promote dynamic change as amenity rich centers.

Nassau County, NY with its growing immigrant population, has witnessed a 107 percent increase in Hispanics since 1990.  Recognizing the local demographics of their community are rapidly changing, the Nassau County Museum of Art has created a new outreach program to both attract and to serve this growing community.  Nassau County Museum of Art collaborated with Queensborough Community College’s adult literacy program for English language learners to create Culture and Literacy through Art (CALTA).

Nonprofit urban café creates opportunities for local residents in arts and culture and most importantly, in employment.

Mount Rainier, MD

A non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation, education, and development of Latin American art and culture.

Berkeley, CA

A cultural institution that embraces the arts as a means to examine deeper social issues.

Poughkeepsie, NY

A nonprofit, multi-art educational center dedicated to bringing a wide range of creative, educational culturally enriching programs to diverse audiences throughout the Hudson Valley.

New Orleans, LA

A small community art project that developed into a wonderful, lasting resource for downtown New Orleans.

Columbia, SC

A West African drum and dance ensemble that provides unique cultural exposure and an educational experience for community members of all ages.

National

A national program that provides a searchable, web-based directory of services, information, and resources for communities across the country.

El Paso, TX

An unusual bank that helps to fill the funding gap while promoting the economic self-reliance of individuals and families.

San Diego, CA

A continuing education program that has been offering free, non-credit classes to older adults since 1914.

Kansas City, MO

An initiative of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute that has brought unprecedented research and commercialization opportunities to the Kansas City area.

Chicago, IL

A non-profit art and design center that encourages creativity as a means of economic empowerment for youth and adults.

Boston, MA

A cross-disciplinary coalition of institutions that have created an exciting series of educational programs to empower community residents.

Pittsburgh, PA

A multi-discipline and minority directed center for arts and learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a sense of accomplishment and hope in the urban community.

Louisville, KY

A partnership between United Parcel Service and local universities to provide financial aid to college students in exchange for specified work hours.

Memphis, TN

A museum which educates the public on the Civil Rights Movement and preserves the historic location of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination.

Holyoke, MA

A grass-roots organization that promotes economic, social, and community development through food and agriculture projects.

Houston, TX

A neighborhood-based cultural organization with programs that combine arts education, historic preservation and community development.

Chicago, IL

A bilingual, youth operated community radio station that connects the Latino community and empowers underserved kids.