Creative Youth Development Strengthens Democracy

The Lewis Prize for Music strives for every young person, regardless of who they are or where they live, to have the opportunity to access music programs from a young age. Through learning, performing and creating music with peers and caring mentors, young people can develop greater agency over their lives and contribute positively to their communities. However, inequitable systems fail to prioritize music learning for all young people, especially for BIPOC youth. This stifles their self-expression, wellbeing, and potential to become powerful citizens. This also stifles democracy.

At this moment when anti-democratic instigators and fantasists attack the principles, laws and lawmakers of our nation, we uplift creative youth development as the artistic activity with the most to contribute to our civic health. Sound democracy is dependent on shared power achieved through representation. For democracy to thrive at the national level, it must thrive locally. Creative youth development programs manifest this by putting decision making power in the hands of young people, amplifying the voices of the unheard, and fostering mutual understanding across communities.

The Lewis Prize for Music’s 2021 Awardees and their peers in every state, district and territory offer us all an opportunity to witness the fair and just promise deserved by everyone in the United States.