All About Yes! And... at the Core

 Yes! And... equips children and young people with the tools to be better learners, to believe in themselves and to realize their dreams through the work of creating collaboratively with peers and professional artists.

As educators, we practice and teach a different way of interacting with kids, with each other and with the world. We believe that children learn best when they are given the opportunity to engage with one another, classroom content and their own ideas in the context of a safe, affirming and specific environment – this we call Tribe Centered Learning, a unique brand of Collaborative Arts Education.

We operate collaboratively…(in the institution).  Working collaboratively means jobs are shared by at least two people (e.g. co-directors, co-producers and traveler partners).

We are Tribal - we honor the tribe.  The culture, history and desires of a tribe (whether the “tribe” is children in a camp, a staff or the entire NPO), holds a power that reason, practicality or clearness cannot negate, though it may seem strange from the outside. 

Collaboration with and commitment to the Site Community; we commit to making it work for the community’s peculiar needs and dynamics. 

We always find ways to work artistically and collaboratively with each other. 

Commitment to our own ‘Unnecessary’ Playfulness.  We will engage ourselves artistically and playfully even in the most mundane of what we do. 

We are committed to Internal Professional Development.  Yes! And… will always be looking for aspects of our curriculum, program models, and teaching styles that we can improve. 

We work with kids- there may come a time (and we are working towards this) when a fair amount of Yes! And…s energy is put towards teaching educators and artists our model of Arts Education.  However, we never let go of getting to be in the room with children. 

We are about iMagination – it is always a part of the process, in the collaboration, in the education, and in the artistic moment.

For Yes! And… Process takes precedence over Product.  There will, in most cases, be a culminating presentation at the end of our work together.  This presentation, be it a full length play, a movie, a mural, or a book of stories, is the celebration of the work to be shared with the broader community; it is not a measure of the work. 

We are about Risk-Taking - we are going to say yes to the impossible idea first, and ask questions later.  Opportunity, even with obstacles, is an opportunity.  High risk communities, children and projects yield miracles- and we still believe in them. 
     
We therefore commit to Go to the Wall for children, staff and a site. Difficult children, situations with staff, or site relationships are not enough reason to “quit”.  We want to always go above and beyond in each situation, always looking for new, different, and creative solutions. 

We commit to continuing relationships with staff, site and kids.  We hope and strive for collaborative relationships that change but do not end.