Founded in 1997 by a small group of high school and college students, New Urban Arts is the largest high school afterschool arts program in Rhode Island. New Urban Arts is an independent nonprofit, not affiliated with any larger institution. The mission is to build a vital community that empowers young people as artists and leaders to develop a creative practice they can sustain throughout their lives. Programs are free to participants, sustained by a mix of individual, state, federal, and foundation funding. The long-term goal of the school-year program is that participants make a permanent place for creativity and imagination in their lives. The interim goals are that participants: (1) Develop close, positive relationships with nonparental adult mentors and peers; (2) Acquire skills and knowledge in the arts; (3) Begin to develop their unique artistic voice; and (4) Graduate from high school on a path toward postsecondary success.