Frequently Asked Questions

Juniper Arts Academy serves youth ages 10-18 in the foster care and juvenile justice communities in the Wichita, KS, area with services in Sedgwick and Harvey County. 

Find out how you or your organization can get involved!

Clubs Programs

  • Juniper Music Club brings hands-on music education to youth in foster care group homes and juvenile justice facilities. With instruments, mentorship, and a trauma-informed approach, we empower students to express themselves, build confidence, and connect through music.

  • Juniper Art Club brings hands-on visual arts education to youth in foster care group homes and juvenile justice facilities. Through creative expression, mentorship, and a trauma-informed approach, we help students build confidence and connection.

  • In our club programs, students explore creative expression while building foundational skills in visual arts or music. They learn techniques like drawing, painting, sculpture, or instrumental performance, depending on the class. Students also develop confidence, collaboration, and emotional expression through the arts. Each session is guided by teaching artists using trauma-informed, relationship-centered approaches.

  • Submit a facility referral form here to begin the process.

School Break Camps

  • Music & Visual art camps offered during the summer or during school breaks. These multi-day workshops are taught by TBRI-trained professional educators and include individual and group projects/productions. 

    Student art created during these camps is displayed in a public exhibition in partner galleries in the Wichita area.

  • Camps are primarily held in the Sedgwick County area, both onsite at residential facilities and off-site open to young people in foster care youth facilities & private foster care homes.

  • Tuition is covered for all Juniper students by donors and grants, making the program accessible. On average, programming is approximately a $150/value per student. We are grateful for the community for making quality fine arts education accessible for young people regardless of financial resources!

  • Check out our upcoming events HERE or refer your facility/student HERE

  • Check out our “Get Involved” page to learn more about opportunities and open positions.

Who Does Juniper Serve?

  • In the state of Kansas, 10 is the youngest age a person can be incarcerated. This age range ensures that Juniper Arts Academy is able to provide equitable education to young people navigating both systems.

  • A community assessment identified three main barriers that can prevent those in foster care or the juvenile justice system from participating in traditional fine arts programs:

    • Transportation challenges that make traveling to off-site programs difficult

    • Financial constraints that limit access to materials, instruments, and class fees

    • The need for trauma-informed care to support students who have experienced adversity

    Juniper Arts Academy is designed with these needs in mind. We bring high-quality visual arts and music education directly to students, eliminate financial barriers through grants and donor support, and create a supportive, trauma-informed environment where every student can thrive.

  • Fine arts education is a powerful tool for academic success and personal growth—especially for students facing tough life circumstances. According to the National Dropout Prevention Center, students involved in the arts are five times more likely to graduate high school. Through music and visual arts, students build essential skills like emotional regulation, perseverance, and healthy coping strategies.

    At Juniper Arts Academy, we use the arts to help students express themselves, develop resilience, and discover that they are capable of growth and success—both in the classroom and in life.


    Source: National Dropout Prevention Center

  • Check out our “Get Involved” page to learn more about opportunities and open positions.

“The Juniper classroom was the first time I got to see the kids be kids”

— Facility Partner Staff