A Creative Response To Youth Violence In Kansas City

The Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City has long been a beacon for preserving and celebrating African American history, culture, and community contributions. Through exhibitions, educational outreach, and research support, the Archives empowers residents with a deeper understanding of the Black experience in the Midwest and beyond. As part of its growing commitment to community wellness, the organization also offers culturally informed programs designed to address urgent social challenges. One of the most critical of these is the recent rise in youth violence.

Confronting An Alarming Rise In Youth Homicides

Between 2019 and 2023, Kansas City experienced a 58% increase in homicides involving children and teens ages 0 to 17. In 2019, 24 youth were killed. By 2023, that number had climbed to 38. These statistics represent more than numbers—they reflect tragic losses in neighborhoods already strained by systemic inequities, generational poverty, and limited access to resources.

In response to this urgent crisis, the Black Archives developed Art Resolution Tactics for Success, a youth-focused initiative aimed at reducing violence by teaching non-violent conflict resolution through art, expression, and technology. The program is designed to meet young people where they are, giving them the tools and support to choose peace over violence.

Vision For A Safer, Stronger Community

The vision of the Art Resolution Tactics program is simple but powerful: to reduce youth violence by equipping young people with practical conflict resolution skills, promoting emotional healing, and fostering a community culture that values safety, respect, and resilience. This is achieved through a combination of weekly programming, hands-on art therapy, and outreach in communities most impacted by violence.

Art serves as both the medium and the message—creating a safe outlet for emotional expression, allowing participants to explore difficult experiences, and offering a bridge to healing. The use of technology in the program (such as digital art and media projects) also appeals to tech-savvy youth, creating a modern and relevant learning environment.

Program Components

The Art Resolution Tactics program focuses on youth ages 0 to 17 and provides weekly services that include:

• Conflict Resolution Education: Youth are introduced to age-appropriate strategies for managing anger, navigating disagreements, and responding to peer pressure without resorting to violence.
• Art and Expression Workshops: Led by experienced teaching artists, these workshops allow participants to express their thoughts, fears, and hopes through various forms of visual art, creative writing, and digital media.
• Therapeutic Support: In partnership with mental health professionals, youth receive guidance on managing emotions, trauma, and stress. These services are trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
• Safe Spaces: Youth participate in programming at community sites designed to be free from violence and instability, fostering a sense of security and belonging.
• Community Outreach: The program collaborates with schools, local nonprofits, neighborhood associations, and parents to identify at-risk youth and ensure consistent engagement and support.

Targeting Hot Spot Neighborhoods

Kansas City Police Department crime mapping and local public health data have consistently identified the Central Patrol and East Patrol divisions as “hot spot” areas for youth violence. These neighborhoods face high levels of gun violence, economic distress, and limited youth-centered services. Art Resolution Tactics places a special emphasis on reaching youth in these zones by operating programming directly within the community or in accessible nearby locations.

The Need for This Work

Violence prevention requires more than just enforcement—it requires early intervention, education, and opportunity. Youth involved in violent behavior often lack access to:

• Positive Role Models and Mentorship
• Mental Health Care
• Creative and Recreational Outlets
• Safe and Consistent Adult Supervision
• Conflict Resolution Education

Art Resolution Tactics responds to these deficits by combining therapeutic, creative, and educational strategies that promote long-term behavioral change and healing. Youth are not treated as problems to be solved, but as individuals with potential to thrive when given the proper tools, encouragement, and attention.

A Culturally Rooted Approach

As part of the Black Archives, the Art Resolution Tactics program draws strength from cultural pride and historical awareness. Youth are introduced to the legacies of Black artists, activists, and thinkers who used creativity to fight injustice, build unity, and inspire progress. This cultural grounding helps participants connect with their heritage, develop identity, and see themselves as capable of overcoming adversity.

The program is intentionally designed to reflect the lived experiences of the youth it serves. Teaching artists and facilitators come from diverse backgrounds and are trained to deliver services through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens. This ensures that the program is not only relevant but deeply respectful and affirming of the young people’s identities.

Measuring Success

The Black Archives is committed to continuous evaluation and accountability. Program success is tracked through:

• Participant Attendance and Engagement
• Pre- and Post- Assessments on Conflict Resolution Skills
• Feedback from Parents, Guardians, and School Personnel
• Reduction in Violent Incidents or School Suspensions Reported by Youth
• Mental Health Progress Indicators (self-reported and clinical observations)

The goal is not just to stop violence, but to build resilience, promote healing, and expand opportunity for youth in Kansas City. The long-term objective is for youth to carry these skills into adulthood, forming a generation that is more emotionally regulated, socially connected, and civically engaged.

Community Collaboration & Support

The success of Art Resolution Tactics depends on strong partnerships. The Black Archives works closely with local schools, neighborhood associations, community centers, and service agencies to provide a continuum of care. These collaborations ensure that no child is left behind and that families are included in the healing process.

By partnering with agencies that provide mental health counseling, violence prevention, and educational services, the program strengthens the web of support available to youth. It also gives local leaders a role in shaping a collective response to the challenges facing their communities.

More Than An Intervention

The Art Resolution Tactics for Success program is more than an intervention—it’s a movement to empower, uplift, and protect the future of Kansas City’s youth. Through the powerful combination of art, education, and emotional support, the Black Archives of Mid-America is helping to transform pain into purpose and violence into vision.

In a time when our youngest residents are facing escalating risks, programs like Art Resolution Tactics show what’s possible when a community comes together with creativity, compassion, and a commitment to change.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.