Press Release: Young Audiences’ Refreshed Brand Identity Reflects an Organization on a Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                      

CONTACT:

Denyce Mylson

Director of Public Relations & Marketing

Young Audiences Arts for Learning

609-243-9000 x202

[email protected]

Young Audiences’ Refreshed Brand Identity Reflects

an Organization on a Mission 

Young Audiences Arts for Learning continues to serve

the region’s children with exceptional art programs

PRINCETON, NJ; September 18, 2019—In a strategic and mission-driven decision, the leading arts education partner in the region, Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania (YA), has released an updated brand identity. The new logo embodies authentic creativity, richness of craft, and the spark of curiosity and inspiration that YA Teaching Artists bring to young people. “Arts for Learning,” emphasized in the new logo, has been a key piece of Young Audiences’ name and the organization’s top priority—to expand children’s opportunities to learn in and through the arts.

For over 47 years, Young Audiences has passionately worked towards their mission: to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts. YA’s 230 professional teaching artists engage over 400 schools each year with a wide variety of art forms in all arts disciplines including visual art, music, dance, theatre, literary, and digital/multimedia arts. YA offers high-quality assembly performances, hands-on workshops, and residency programs to engage students in the arts, improve their learning, and expand their cultural understanding. YA’s professional learning for educators increases arts instruction in the classroom to impact more children.

“We are excited to share our new logo as it beautifully reflects our commitment to the energy and vibrancy of arts education, the creativity of our artists and students, and the authentic ‘handmade’ nature of our work,” shared Michele Russo, President & CEO of YA. “This logo honors the rich history and dynamic connection with the Young Audiences network across the country.”

The brand refresh was made possible through a generous grant from The Burke Foundation. The process included research conducted by Oxford Communications, and strategic design done in partnership and collaboration with Michael Graves Architecture and Design.

During the research phase, key stakeholder groups, including teaching artists, educators, school partners, arts advocates, donors, and school volunteers participated in surveys, focus groups, discovery sessions, and one-on-one interviews that informed the creative process.

“Through the research we learned that there was some confusion around our name as it did not accurately capture who we are and what we do,” shared Steve Runk, YA’s Board Chair and Director of Communication at Princeton’s Lewis Center for the Arts. “We believe the new logo perfectly represents what our teaching artists do with children every day—explore the artistic process by experimenting with art materials, creating colorful brush strokes, engaging in trial and error, and connecting art with learning and life.”

Donald Strum, YA Trustee and Principle at Michael Graves Architecture and Design shared, “In creating a refreshed brand statement, it was paramount for us to understand what Young Audiences wished to convey for their revised logo.  A cohesive creative spark that feels authentic—of the hand, a richness of color, and strong composition—with sensitivity to moving the design forward without leaving its origins behind.  A design that expresses imagination and optimism in all of us.”

“Great businesses and great organizations grow and evolve, just as YA has done over the years,” shared Michele Siekerka, YA Trustee and President & CEO of the NJBIA. “It’s wonderful to start YA’s next chapter with this great new logo. Businesses need to stay current and fresh in their look and feel and YA is doing that beautifully.”

YA is part of the Young Audiences’ National Network of 30 affiliates, which is the largest provider of arts education programs in the country. The New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania affiliate has a long history of collaboration and mutual support. The organization will continue to provide extraordinary hands-on arts experiences to schoolchildren in all 21 counties in New Jersey, as well as in seven counties in Eastern Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Lehigh.

Young Audiences’ mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts will remain the driving force in all they do. YA envisions a future in which all young people have the opportunity to engage in quality arts learning that nurtures creativity, cultural awareness, and the development of critical thinking and learning skills.

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About Young Audiences Arts for Learning

Founded in 1973, Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PAis the premier arts education partner in the region, collaborating to provide high-quality performances and artist-in-residence programs to schools in all 21 counties of New Jersey and the 7 easternmost counties of Pennsylvania. Young Audiences’

extensive professional teaching artists represent all art forms—from dance and theater to music, language, and visual arts. YA programs are designed to be child-centered, outcome driven, and measurably effective, providing children with the opportunity to experience quality art; understand the art form and its cultural context; create their own original art; and connect art to their own life and learning. Since its founding, the organization has reached over 15 million children with essential arts education experiences.

A not-for-profit organization, Young Audiences’ mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts. YA’s programs are accessible to all socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and geographic communities, and are designed to strengthen the arts in schools, meet local and state curriculum standards, involve families in arts activities, and enrich cultural life in New Jersey and Pennsylvania communities.

Young Audiences is the first arts education organization designated as a major service organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and, as part of the national network of Young Audiences, Inc., was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. Young Audiences programs are made possible in part through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. Additional funding comes from foundations, corporations and generous individuals. To learn more, visit www.yanjep.org. To be “social” with us, join us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @YAAFLORG.