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"This Is the first <br />time I feel proud <br />1 live in Santa <br />Ana. Being <br />involved in the <br />arts gives me a <br />reason to he <br />connected.' <br />-Discusslon group <br />participant <br />Santa Ana Arts Future <br />Engagement Findings Report <br />Creating opportunity for youth in Santa Ana is a top priority for residents. <br />Across all of the research, youth programming and youth access was a <br />dominant theme. Residents envision a future for the children as one with <br />rich arts opportunities, job creation, and one without exposure to gang <br />violence or other negative social situations. Santa Ana's youth face great <br />challenges including low educational attainment, exposure to violence, and <br />other issues. Over 40% of Santa Ana's youth do not graduate from high <br />school. This is a shocking statistic and while the Arts and Cultural Plan will <br />not "fix" these very large problems, it can create better opportunities for youth by providing <br />consistent learning pathways in the arts, cultural and creative sectors. <br />Families want opportunities for their children to include affordable after school and <br />weekend programming for youth (especially in outlying neighborhoods), classes at more <br />convenient times and locations, and transportation options. Additional programming ideas <br />include developing a cultural pass for youth for different arts, culture, and culinary <br />organizations; providing incentives to motivate increased success in school, and <br />scholarships for students. <br />"Love to see a The Envisioned City Role <br />higher level of <br />A true community engagement process provides broad feedback from all <br />engagement <br />from the City of <br />groups of a community. It is a common attitude among residents in any city <br />Santa Ana to <br />to express skepticism and/or frustration with municipal government as a <br />uplift youth who <br />part of that engagement. Santa Ana residents and stakeholders expressed <br />are aspiring <br />artdsts." <br />this skepticism in most of the community meetings. They voiced strong <br />-Survey respondent <br />sentiments that the City is not supportive of the arts and the arts <br />community. Although there is optimism that a citywide arts and cultural plan <br />can build bridges among communities and between the City and its residents. The creation <br />of an Office of Arts and Culture within the City with experienced arts professionals who can <br />represent the needs of the arts and creative community is part of the solution they envision. <br />Many participants expressed the belief that if the City plays a greater role in supporting arts <br />and culture it can help impact significant issues facing Santa Ana such as public safety, <br />educational attainment, employment, and affordable housing. They feel the City should play <br />the role of convener and work to build relationships with artists and organizations and <br />integrate artists and creatives into the City's decision-making process. <br />Residents and artists want to play a role in improving the City's streets and overall image. <br />Ideas include artists working with the City to beautify the streets and neighborhoods, <br />65B-52 <br />