Bay Area Youth Services of Florida

The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program is a multi-agency collaboration between the University Area Community Development Center (UACDC), University of South Florida, and Bay Area Youth Services, Inc. (BAYS). In 2003, the UACDC partnered with the USF School of Social Work and BAYS to further the development of the Prodigy Program. As the grantee, USF is a fiscal agent and responsible for conducting outcomes-based research including sponsoring a recent international study by McGill University that included the Prodigy Tampa site. The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program is funded by the State of Florida.

Prodigy is a research based structured program built upon an asset-based youth development model that promotes positive identity-building and pro-social norms. The studio experience, for youth, is based on a child-centered learning approach. Youth and artistic instructors collaborate on group and individual projects fostering an atmosphere of cooperation throughout the program.

Prodigy serves youth aged 7 through 17 who fall into either the Prevention, Diversion, or Intervention categories. Eligible youth must reside within program zip code boundaries.

Prevention: Youth who are at-risk, but have not committed a delinquent offense.

Diversion: Youth who have committed a delinquent offense and are referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice or State Attorney’s Office.

Intervention: Adjudicated youth referred and under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice or another Juvenile Justice program.

Prevention, Diversion, and Intervention youth receive art programming services, and additionally, Diversion youth and their families also receive case management services through BAYS.

A unique feature of Prodigy is the use of social purpose art projects, where youth create art that ultimately connects them to their lived experience, promoting the development of a better understanding of community in the youth. Social purpose artistic themes have included: exploring media influence, personal and cultural history projects, conflict resolution, inner peace, self-reflection exercises, and environmental and safety concerns.

The model below illustrates the conceptual framework that makes Prodigy effective. Starting with art instruction, which is structured, cumulative, and sustained, as youth participate they gain art and task completion skills that facilitate their ability to develop a number of pro-social skills. Those skills in turn lead to self-efficacy and self-esteem which further facilitates youth bonding to pro-social peers and adults. The outcomes are a decrease in behavioral and emotional problems.

Prodigy youth are offered many choices for different artistic tracks including visual arts and performing arts. The coordinated curriculum and ample choices allow youth to experience exposure to multiple artistic processes while simultaneously focusing on individual expressions. As a result, the youth sustain their interest in the program as they flow between and among a variety of artistic ventures.

Prodigy instructors are experienced, highly accomplished, professional artists and musicians who have well-honed teaching skills. Prodigy does not hire teachers of art, but instead, artists who can teach. This is supported by a recent global study that analyzed arts education and suggests there is a difference between “education in the arts” and “education through the arts” (Bamford 2006).

The personal development focus includes a series of workshops the youth attend along with their artistic studio sessions. The workshops are set up as facilitated discussions where youth are given the tools to recognize and develop their personal agency, that is, their ability to guide their own destiny. An important message that is conveyed is all program participants are seen as “Prodigies” with very special talents and abilities that can lead each one to greatness as they recognize their own positive attributes. The youth receive special recognition of their artistic talents twice annually in a performance showcase and gallery exhibit.

Additionally, other opportunities for youth recognition are provided. For example, in 2006, visual art class youth from the Prodigy Program in Tampa created displays and centerpieces for the Annual Florida African Heritage Writers and Artists Series at TECO Plaza. Also, fifteen Prodigy youth artists had their work displayed at a local gallery along with professional artists. Early in 2007, ten of the youngest Prodigy Latin drummers and percussionists performed for a meeting of the Florida Alliance of Community Development Corporations.

The Prodigy curricula and programming is research-based. The McGill study of youth arts programming across the continent identified several key components of effective arts programming. The program should be free for participants and include free transportation and snacks. There should be a choice and variety of art activities that are both fun and challenging. Additionally, the relationships between staff and youth should be caring and representative of positive role models.

The McGill study results of growth-curve analysis of classroom observations showed significant increases in these areas: following instructions, such as putting effort in their work and completing a task within the allotted amount of time; task completion, or the ability to focus on their own work; pro-social communication where youth showed more cooperation, respect, problem-solving capabilities, and following group rules; social skills, such as appropriateness in communications, and assertiveness; art skills, that is, achieving the goals of specific art classes; development, which indicates progress in age appropriate skills; and participation, showing general enjoyment and degree of involvement in the art activities.

Prodigy serves prevention, intervention, diversion, and conditional release youth ages 7 through 17 and their families. Prodigy has a well developed infrastructure that includes a relational database. This is used to track students’ registration status, attendance, and developmental progress. Records are carefully maintained to reflect contacts with parents, schools, and case management. Prodigy youth advisors are employed to provide daily youth counseling and behavioral management. The Prodigy Program holds an unimpeachable track record for youth safety and security.

Prodigy gets results! Just over 87% of the diversion youth complete the program. Of those, 90% do not recidivate for six months. Even when the non-completers are included, 85% do not recidivate within six months.