Lessons Learned

Do arts-based programs prevent or reduce delinquent behavior among youth? This key question remains only partially answered by this evaluation. Although it produced considerable evidence to support the hypothesis that such programs can contribute to the avoidance or reduction of delinquent behavior, the evaluation suffered several problems that limited the ability to definitively answer the question. However, the lessons learned from this evaluation?about both the programs themselves and the process of evaluating them?can be immensely valuable to the design, implementation, and evaluation of other youth-focused arts-based efforts.