Part of what makes Artes Academy truly unique is that we are a proven model of success on a national level. The program was recognized by The White House as an after school program that is based in the arts cultivating not artists, but upstanding citizens, in a creative and engaging environment. Now known as the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, The Coming Up Taller Award was given to Artes de la Rosa in 2006 to honor the exemplary work our program was doing to foster young people's intellectual and creative development. Programs recognized by these awards provide opportunities for American youth to contribute to their communities through learning and practical experiences in the humanities and arts endeavors. Although our program is focused on fine arts and more specifically theater that is not our sole purpose in this program; Our objective is to help the children develop a concept about self, human relationships and the environment of the community around them. We do this by using elements of drama and conventions of theater to create a safe place for open dialogue as they come to define their own beliefs, goals, and aspirations. The empowerment that comes with working collectively with one’s peers in the arts breeds a generation of young individuals capable of cultivating healthy opportunities and engaging the community around them developing healthy attitudes to potentially harmful situations, including violence, drug use, and risky behavior.