Arts+’s Accessible Model Makes It a Cornerstone of the Community
Arts+ has been a cornerstone of accessible arts education in Charlotte since its founding in 1969. Through need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, and community partnerships, nearly half of the 4,500 students Arts+ serves annually participate in high-quality music and visual art programs at a reduced or no cost.
Our approach aligns with national trends in arts education equity. A 2024 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) report revealed that 75% of federal arts education grants target underserved populations, reflecting a national priority to close opportunity gaps. Economic disparities consistently limit access to arts education nationwide, but Arts+ distinguishes itself by awarding 62% of 2024 financial aid to students in ZIP codes designated as economically distressed by Mecklenburg County and by fostering partnerships that bring programs from north to south and east to west. Our outreach program, ArtsReach, has provided free music and visual art programming to thousands of children through local community sites at absolutely no cost to the students or program sites for more than 25 years.
Another outreach program that exemplifies our mission is Studio 345, a free program for high school students. Decades of research underscore the cross-disciplinary benefits of arts education. Students with sustained arts involvement score higher on SATs than peers without such exposure, particularly in mathematics and reading comprehension. Additionally, arts education cultivates skills critical for 21st-century careers including creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking. In Studio 345, teens develop digital arts skills linked to improved computational thinking and problem solving. They have the opportunity to gain skills in the Adobe Creative Suite, directly aligning with Charlotte’s growing tech sector demands.
The Charlotte Youth Choir (CYC) program exemplifies Arts+’s tailored yet flexible approach to offering financial aid. Offering sliding-scale tuition based solely on household income (rather requiring asset disclosures) reduces hurdles for low-income families and ensures that economic barriers do not prevent participation.
To qualify for financial aid, applicants must submit a financial aid request packet. A multilayered verification process allows Arts+ to assess need with precision, tailoring financial aid to individuals and circumstances. The sliding scale thresholds consider household size, total income, and non-traditional financial factors such as alimony or medical expenses. Notably, Arts+ accommodates temporary financial hardships—such as job loss or unexpected medical bills—through supplementary documentation.
The annual deadline for priority consideration for financial aid is April 15, coinciding with tax season to streamline documentation. Awards are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis, with rolling applications accepted until funds are fully allocated.
Arts+ demonstrates how community-focused financial aid systems can mitigate socioeconomic disparities in arts access. To learn more and apply, click here.