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A Statewide Arts Initiative of the Youth Justice Commission
Creative Pathways Across New Jersey: Transforming Juvenile Justice Through Arts Education
Throughout 2025, the Institute providedvisiting artists residencies that introduced creative opportunities to youth throughout New Jersey’s juvenile justice system, spanning both secure facilities and residential community-based homes (RCHs). As a member of the Consortium of Community-Based Providers, we offered participants more than just exposure to the arts—the program fostered personal growth, resilience, and new rehabilitation pathways. The program provided long-term engagement that used a variety of art forms to support healing, coping skills, community-building, and emotional growth. Some of the disciplines provided opportunities that could become viable career paths upon the youth’s release.
A Program Spanning the State
Over the course of the program cycle, 85 youths aged 15 to 20participated in arts residences offered at seven juvenile justice facilities in five counties across New Jersey. Participating sites included the Juvenile Medium Security Facility, Female Secure Care & Intake Facility, Costello Prep RCH, Vineland Preparatory Academy, Ocean Residential Community Home, and Warren RCH.
Running a program of this size took ongoing coordination, with each facility setting its own schedule, rules, and security needs. The Institute sees this program as part of our ongoing commitment to serve our most vulnerable young people. By offering flexible, skill-based programs, the organization helps youth build creative outlets, emotional strength, and practical skills that last beyond their time in care.
Structure and Curriculum
Most residencies ran between 4 and 14 weeks, with most facilities taking advantage of the full 14-week option. Some residencies utilized more than one Teaching Artist, who collaborated together for a fuller arts experience.
Youth chose from six art forms based on their interests and what was possible at each site: Music Production, DJ, Anime and Cartooning, Podcasting, Recording Studio, and Culinary Arts. We employed nine TeachingArtists of colorthrough the programs, providing role models who share the youth’s lived experiences. Programs that connected to professional and career paths saw the most interest from participants, even though the Institute offers more disciplines overall.
Darryl Gent, the Institute’s Outreach Coordinator and Instituteparent, manages the program. “It is great that the state provides opportunities like this to motivate and engage youth with creative opportunities for personal development,” Gent said. “It’s crucial that young people who live in these tough settings have access to activitiesto help to create inner healing and a variety of skills. Emotional healing is especially important for youth in the system.” Our flexibility and responsiveness were key to the program’s success. By supporting TeachingArtists, working together, and adjusting lesson plans, the Institute kept the program strong and met each facility’s unique needs.
Our partner sites valued the Institute’s focus on deeper learning. Joe Garba, Superintendent at Ocean Residential Community Home, spoke about the partnership's positive impact. “What sets the Institute of Music for Children apart is its commitment to long-term engagement,” Garba said. “They offer a variety of programs and arts that keep residents engaged for long-term success by building motivation and pro-social behaviors.”
Through this program, and our work with the Union County Youth Services Commission, the Institute has played a lead role in bringing high-quality arts education to more justice-involved youth and youth at-risk.