THE PROJECT
Performing Statistics is a cultural organizing project that uses art to model, imagine, and advocate for alternatives to youth incarceration. A group of artists, advocates, and organizers, we believe in a world without youth prisons and connect young people impacted by the juvenile justice system with the community and systems leaders through the arts.
Photo: Justice Parade for Youth, RISE for Youth, 2018. Photo by Mark Strandquist. Used with permission from ART 180.
OUR PROGRAMS
DIRECT SERVICE
We model an evidence-based creative youth development program for youth impacted by the justice system. Our direct service program is often in partnership with the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, as part of their post-dispositional diversion program. Over eight weeks, young people create art about their experiences navigating the school-to-prison pipeline and their vision for a world without youth prisons.
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Our 2020 program was conducted in partnership with CodeVA and RISE for Youth.
YOUTH REENTRY
We model reentry support that helps young people successfully transition into adulthood through two programs. The Youth Ambassador Squad is a leadership development program for youth ready to develop their leadership capacity. Ambassadors are part-time, paid staff who receive life and leadership skills training, mentorship, and represent the project. Our general reentry support services provide case management support for six months.
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Youth accepted upon referral.
CULTURAL ORGANIZING
We help communities imagine a world without youth prisons and advocate for community-based resources needed to keep youth free. We produce #NoKidsinPrison,
a national touring exhibition that amplifies and elevates youth justice campaigns across the country and develops a national archive of youth stories, dreams, and demands.
Performing Statistics is a fiscally sponsored project of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs.
All photos by Mark Strandquist. Used with permission from ART 180.
Performing Statistics: Three Years at the Intersection of Arts & Activism
This report looks at our project's impact between 2016-2018. In it, you'll find a historical timeline, our theory of change, and our program model and outcomes. The report also includes an evaluation analysis conducted by Chris Dwyer, of RMC Research, that tracks our impact on youth, adults, public perceptions, and laws, policies, and procedures.
Click the PDF icon to the left to download the report.