5050 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45227
CATS High School Arts Program
The Cincinnati Arts and Technology Studios (CATS) uses the transformative power of art, a first-class environment, and a character-building culture coupled with targeted supports and services to unlock at-risk teens’ self-worth and equip them with tools for long term success. Funds from this Dater grant supported the CATS high school arts program, a supplemental educational resource for the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) 11th, 12th graders and overage underclassmen at-risk of not graduating due to a credit deficit.
CATS, like all educational agencies, was disrupted by the pandemic when schools were closed in March 2020. Until that time CATS was fully operational providing instruction to over 300 students through 5 studios for credit to graduate. CATS hosted its annual Art Show in December entitled “Art and the Environment.”
Once schools closed in March, CATS immediately transitioned to an online presence, using Schoology and ZOOM to connect with students virtually. CATS worked tirelessly to engage students remotely, creating online art instructional videos, online art assignments, identifying ways for students to submit projects and making every effort to remain connected to students. CATS ended the year with the following results:
• 335 active students served
• 291 or 87% received credit
• 275 or 82% submitted a project for the show (one show held in Dec. 2020)
• 95% or 106/112 seniors graduated by early June 2020.
Unfortunately, in July, CATS was informed that CPS would not be able to support CATS for the upcoming year. To that end, CATS sought out new partnership opportunities, finally landing at the Children’s Home. A partnership agreement was solidified in August 2020 and CATS moved to Children’s Home where it is in the process of resuming services and re-imagining the CATS program on the Children’s Home campus.
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