Skip to content
A teenage student in a black hoodie looks back over her shoulder in front of a wall of torn paper

You Be The Change

Turn your voiceinto action.

A project-based arts, media and leadership program where students identify issues that matter, develop creative campaigns, and turn their ideas into action.

Bring the program to your school

12–24 Weeks · Schools · Expanded Learning · Community Programs

Same students.Bigger possibilities.

  • Art
  • Media
  • Leadership
  • Community
  • Impact

Students havesomething to say.

We give them the tools to do something about it.

YOU Be The Change helps young people become confident self-advocates, creative problem-solvers and emerging leaders.

Students explore issues affecting their schools and communities, work collaboratively to develop solutions, and use art, media, storytelling and public presentation to inspire awareness and action.

They don't just learn about change. They create it.

The Changemaker Journey

From ideas to impact.

  1. A student thinking about the issues that matter in their community
    01

    Discover

    What matters to us?

  2. Students' hands sketching research notes with markers
    02

    Investigate

    What do we need to understand?

  3. A wall of colourful sticky notes with student ideas
    03

    Imagine

    What could we change?

  4. A student photographing with a camera
    04

    Create

    How can creativity move people?

  5. Students holding up a hand-made Take Action sign
    05

    Activate

    How do we put the idea into the world?

  6. A student presenting into a microphone
    06

    Present

    What did we learn, create and change?

Four teenagers in hoodies stand together in front of a wall of campaign posters

Projectsthat matter.

Students identify real issues, create campaigns, and take action in their schools and communities.

  • Mentalhealthmatters
  • Cleanschool.Brightertomorrow.
  • Belongingis aright.
  • Goodideas.Betterfutures.
  • Foodjustice.Strongercommunities.

Skills that travel.

Students develop real-world skills for school, college, careers and life.

  • Communication
  • Creative Thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Leadership
  • Media + Digital Literacy
  • Public Presentation
  • Self-Advocacy

Creative minds stronger communities.

A student with glasses looks through the viewfinder of a video camera

From classroom projectto real-world portfolio.

Students gain hands-on experience in research, design, media production, marketing, entrepreneurship and leadership.

Every cohort culminates in a student-led public showcase and the annual Changemakers Yearbook.

See student work

Built for schools.12–24 Week Implementation

  • In-School
  • Afterschool
  • Intersession
  • Community Schools
  • Arts Education
  • Leadership Programs
  • Career Exploration

Implementation checklist

  • Weekly facilitated sessions
  • Four milestone project reviews
  • Canva for Education + creative tools
  • Visiting mentors and creative professionals
  • Student-led final showcase
  • Annual Changemakers Yearbook
  • Alumni engagement

Why it matters.

  • Student Voice + Agency
  • Belonging + Purpose
  • Real-World Skills
  • Community Connection
  • Relevant Learning
  • College + Career Readiness

Funding Support

The program may align with multiple school and district funding strategies supporting arts education, expanded learning, student engagement, college and career readiness, community schools and youth development.

  • Proposition 28 — Arts & Music in Schools
  • Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
  • ESSA Title IV-A
  • California Community Schools Partnership Program
  • CTE Incentive Grant
  • Perkins V
  • WIOA Youth Funding
  • Local district funding
  • Philanthropic support

Funding eligibility and allowable expenditures depend on implementation, student population, funding source and local education agency requirements.

Powered by partners

  • Music to the Ears Foundation logo

  • Academix BEAT Lab logo

  • Youth Advocates for Change logo

Bring You Be The Change to your schoolK12@musictotheears.org

Don't just talkabout the future.

Build it.