Several students

During these focus group discussions, students reiterated their enthusiasm and support for the Urban smARTS program. They enjoyed their participation and the opportunity to learn about the arts. In addition, they said the program taught them how to appreciate things around them, get along better with others, deal with emotions in a constructive way, and communicate through music and the arts. Several participants indicated the program had taught them to be more self-confident and helped them believe in themselves. Several students said that they "hung out with the wrong crowd" before participating in the program and that the program had helped them to stay out of trouble by keeping them off the streets and giving them something to do after school.