The ISM’s After-School Arts Pilot Program is designed to foster creative confidence, community connection, and holistic growth among middle school students in New Haven through collaborative visual arts education. Bringing together Yale students, New Haven public school art teachers, and Emanuel Baptist Church, the pilot will create an inclusive and welcoming space where young people can step away from predominantly digital environments to explore art, music, and story as springboards for imagination, personal reflection, and connection. Grounded in the ISM’s commitment to creativity and community engagement, the initiative seeks to provide accessible, high-quality arts experiences while strengthening partnerships across New Haven’s educational, faith, and cultural communities. The pilot will also explore the potential for churches to serve as valuable community “third places”—spaces for creativity and belonging that welcome young people of all backgrounds rather than promote a particular belief system. Ultimately, the ISM hopes this semester’s pilot can provide a model for a broader network of after-school arts programs across New Haven and beyond.
Beginning on September 30, 2026, the Yale Institute of Sacred Music (ISM) is launching a pilot after-school visual arts program for New Haven middle-school students in grades 6–8. Meeting on Wednesdays from 4:30–5:45 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1324 Chapel Street, the program provides students with a welcoming, hands-on environment in which to experiment with visual art materials, develop creative skills, and explore their own ideas through making.
Using a “studio-as-laboratory” approach, students are encouraged to experiment, make choices, take creative risks, and discover their own ways of creating rather than simply reproducing a predetermined artwork. The program emphasizes the creative process as well as the finished product and introduces students to art from different times, places, and cultural traditions while encouraging connections to their own experiences and communities.
The program brings together Yale students, New Haven public school art educators, and community partners to expand opportunities for young people to engage meaningfully with the arts outside the traditional classroom. Through creative exploration and hands-on learning, it seeks to foster artistic development, creative confidence, and connections with the wider community.
The ISM is grateful to Immanuel Baptist Church for generously welcoming the program into its space. While the program is non-religious and administered by the ISM, the church is a valued partner in providing a warm and welcoming environment for participating students and families. Church staff also help prepare and care for the space, reflecting Immanuel Baptist Church’s longstanding commitment to serving its neighborhood and extending hospitality to the wider community.
Parents and guardians of New Haven students in grades 6–8 who are interested in the program are encouraged to email Mariana Torrens Arias to learn more, express their interest, and receive information about registration and participation.
“A welcoming, hands-on environment in which to experiment with visual art materials, develop creative skills, and explore ideas through making.”
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What is the Yale Institute of Sacred Music?
The Yale Institute of Sacred Music (ISM) is an interdisciplinary institute at Yale University that supports teaching, research, and community engagement in the arts. This program is part of ISM’s youth arts outreach and is led by certified educators and Yale-affiliated arts mentors.
Is this a religious program?
No. Although the program is hosted at Immanuel Baptist Church, the visual arts studio is completely non-religious and open to students of all backgrounds. No religious instruction or content is included.
Who is this program for?
The program is designed for students in grades 6–8 attending school in New Haven. Beginners and experienced artists are welcome. Students do not need prior art training but must demonstrate
- Ability to participate in small-group instruction
- Capacity to follow group safety expectations
- Enthusiasm about all arts modalities
- Open mind regarding trying new things
- Developmentally appropriate self-control, discipline, focus, patience and determination
- A commitment to learning and a desire to expand their creativity
What will students do in the program?
Students will participate in hands-on visual arts projects, experiment with materials, develop personal ideas, and work in a small studio setting. The focus is on creative exploration, developing a visual vocabulary, and process, not grades or tests. The curriculum currently includes a fair amount of three-dimensional exploration.
Does this program have a fee?
The program is free.
What is included in the program?
Instruction, materials, and refreshments are included at no cost to families. Materials are fun, familiar, and approachable. They change according to the projects students work on.
How long is the program?
This is a twelve-week pilot program that meets once per week after school.
Where does the program take place?
The program is hosted at Immanuel Baptist Church, located at 1324 Chapel Street in New Haven, approximately a five-minute walk from Yale’s campus.