Department of Youth Services Partnership

Everett artists have been running art residencies for young people in the care of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) for the past ten years. Artists have brought dance, theater, music and poetry into DYS facilities; creating performances and building positive relationships with young people there as a way to alleviate stress, cultivate joy and passion, and teach skills in areas such as emotional identification and regulation. Through this work, Everett has found that even in highly controlled juvenile justice settings, the power of art can create a space for innovation and healing.

Over the past two years, Everett artists have been working closely with one young person as he transitions out of DYS care and back into the community. He has become a true collaborator, meeting with a group of Everett artists weekly, using his story and unique perspective to create scenes, scripts and short films. This material being developed will be used in programs delivered to young people, professionals in the justice system, and the general public with the purpose of opening deep discussion on trauma, healing, and the toxic public image of justice involved individuals. The young man recently presented this work at an Arts Education Partnership (AEP) national conference. To see the presentation, which includes stories, workshops and movies created in collaboration with Everett artists, follow this link: https://www.aep-arts.org/multimedia-resources/laugh-now-cry-later/