Why Creativity Belongs in Every Classroom

When students are given space to create, they begin to see possibility — in themselves and in the world around them. That belief is what drives the Athletes for Life Foundation’s Art “n” The Schools program: to ensure every student has access to creative experiences that build confidence, discipline, and purpose.

Opening Doors Through Exposure

For many young people, professional art spaces feel out of reach. Through Art “n” The Schools, AFL partners with districts like Compton Unified, Los Angeles schools, and Broward and Palm Beach County to bridge that gap. Students submit original artwork, and selected pieces are showcased at national events such as the LA Art Show and Art Palm Beach Show — where student artists stand shoulder to shoulder with professionals.

These experiences show that creativity isn’t reserved for a select few — it’s a skill that belongs in every learning journey.

Learning by Experience

The program doesn’t take place inside classrooms; it brings the classroom to the art world. Selected students and their peers attend the exhibitions, participate in guided tours, and join hands-on workshops led by exhibiting artists. They see how ideas move from concept to canvas, and how creative careers are built through the same focus and repetition they practice in sports or academics.

Creativity Builds Core Skills

Even short exposure to professional creative environments can spark long-term growth. Students who participate return with new confidence — learning that problem-solving, communication, and collaboration are at the heart of both art and achievement. Teachers report that opportunities like these help students engage more deeply in every subject by strengthening curiosity and persistence.

Creativity teaches students to adapt, to keep experimenting, and to trust their process — skills that extend far beyond art itself.

Why It Matters

Art “n” The Schools is part of AFL’s broader mission to Create Champions On and Off the Field. By giving students access to professional creative spaces, the foundation reinforces that success—whether athletic, academic, or artistic—comes from dedication and belief.

As AFL prepares for Art "n" The Schools 2026, one message guides every effort: When creativity enters a student’s world, everything else rises with it.