Youth in Focus

Art isn’t just a luxury—it’s a powerful ACT! 

Give Big today!

Your donation DIRECTLY supports youth in our programs. Help us keep our photography and arts education programs free and accessible to more than 450 teens. Supply our youth with camera equipment and photography supplies to use free of charge. And contribute to providing $25,000 in youth stipends!

The first $8,000 in donations will be matched.

Double your donation today!

Mission

Youth in Focus equips youth to share their ideas and values with the world through photography and art. We value art as a powerful medium of change to create a healthy, vibrant, more equitable, and just society for all. To achieve that, we provide free/pay-what-you-can after school, summer, and community partner programs for teens and preteens. We focus on both social and emotional learning skills as well as technical photography and digital media skills to ensure our students have the tools and confidence they need to succeed in education, life, and/or career.

Our Story

Youth in Focus is Seattle-based nonprofit preparing the next generation of creative thinkers to meet the emerging needs of our global society. We believe in the power of photography. But even more than that, we believe in our youth. That's why we approach photography as a means of curiosity, exploration, and self-discovery. We create a safe, inclusive community, teach photography at no cost (or pay-what-you-can), and provide mentorship for South Seattle teens. 

We've been doing this for 30 years because of the profound impact it has - on the youth, on us, and on our community at large. We are teaching photography, but the students are learning so much more. They're learning who they are, how to be, and how to share their ideas and values with the world.

That's the future we want to see - one where youth are included, accepted, and nurtured to express their ideas and share their gifts. We are honored to play a role in their journey to discovery and being - and to share the science and art of photography along the way.

Join us in our vision to transform our collective future, one picture at a time!

Your donation provides free access for students and enables us to offer our programs on a sliding scale to partner organizations serving youth furthest from educational justice. 

2024 Student Demographics:

457 Youth Served!

93% attended our program for free or at a reduced cost

70% were students of color

More than 50% qualified for free/reduced-price lunch

30% lived with a single parent or other living arrangements

47% identified as LGBTQIA+

Recognition

Thanks to our amazing anonymous donor, the first $8,000 in donations will be matched! Double your gift today!

We are grateful for the dedication of our team of staff, teaching artists, and board of directors who ensure we provide high-quality arts education programming for teens.