Art education is more than just a creative outlet — it helps kids build confidence, think critically, and express themselves. Yet, many youth art programs struggle with tight budgets and low participation.
The good news? A strong youth art program isn’t just about talent — it’s about community support. The more you remove barriers to giving, fundraising, and registration, the easier for people to get involved. Whether you’re an art teacher, PTA leader, or program coordinator, these five strategies — powered by Cheddar Up — will help boost community support, increase fundraising, and make the arts more accessible for every child.
Five Ways to Strengthen Youth Art Programs
Make Giving Simple
Parents, local businesses, and community members are often happy to contribute — but only if it’s quick and easy. Between busy schedules and competing priorities, many simply forget or don’t know how to help.
An online donation page removes the hassle, letting people give in seconds. The ability to list preset donation amounts encourages more contributions. And with peer-to-peer fundraising, families can create and share their own pages, bringing in support from grandparents, family friends, and other networks.
How Cheddar Up helps:
- Build a custom donation page in minutes.
- Accept credit cards, ACH, and Apple Pay — no cash or checks required.
- Opt for peer-to-peer fundraising so participants can amplify your reach.
Turn Events into Fundraisers
Student performances, art showcases, and gallery nights are incredible opportunities to celebrate young artists — and they can also be major fundraisers. But handling ticket sales manually? That can be stressful for organizers and overwhelming for families.
Selling tickets online solves all of that. Families can buy in advance, helping you plan for attendance and boosting revenue. Different pricing options (like VIP seating or donation-based entry) encourage extra support. Adding a “Support the Arts” donation option at checkout is another easy way to increase contributions.
How Cheddar Up helps:
- Create a custom event page where families can purchase tickets in advance and add-ons like flowers and program advertisements.
- Accept payments on-site with POS transactions for concessions and branded merchandise.
- Track ticket sales, donations, and purchases in real time in one platform.
Make Art Affordable for Every Child
Art classes, supplies, and field trips can get expensive. Not every family can afford them, but no child should miss out because of cost.
A scholarship or sponsorship fund ensures that every student can participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Making it easy for families to apply for assistance ensures that help gets to those who need it most.
How Cheddar Up helps:
- Set up a custom sponsorship page where donors can contribute with one-time or recurring donations options.
- Use custom forms to collect scholarship applications so families can easily apply online.
- Manage and distribute funds with clear records.
Run a Digital Art Supply Drive
Many youth art programs rely on donated supplies, but organizing a supply drive can be overwhelming. Some students may be using dried-out markers, while others don’t have access to sketchbooks at all.
Instead of collecting physical items, an online supply drive lets supporters give exactly what’s needed — without the hassle. Listing specific supply needs with donation amounts (e.g., $15 for a sketchbook, $25 for a watercolor set) makes it clear how people can help.
How Cheddar Up helps:
- Create a custom contribution page with specific supply needs and suggested donation amounts.
- Send automated reminders to past donors and supporters to tap into your network and maximize contributions.
- Quickly share the donation page via email, social media, or school newsletters with built-in sharing tools to broaden your reach.
Simplify Class Registrations and Payments
Art teachers and program coordinators wear multiple hats — educator, event planner, and bookkeeper. Managing sign-ups, payments, and paperwork by hand? That’s just added stress.
An online registration system saves time and streamlines the process for organizers and families. Offering flexible pricing options — like single classes, multi-class bundles, and sibling discounts — makes participation more accessible. Automated reminders ensure no one misses a payment or class start date.
How Cheddar Up helps:
- Create a custom registration page for classes, workshops, and summer programs.
- Include digital waivers right in the registration process — no more chasing paperwork.
- Export participant data for easy roster management and check-ins.
Stronger Youth Art Programs Start with Stronger Community Support
Thriving youth art programs aren’t just about talent — it’s about making it easy for people to support. Whether through online donations, ticket sales, supply drives, or class registrations, small changes can lead to a big impact.
Before you go
Ready to streamline fundraising, registrations, and payments for your youth art programs? With the right tools, you can boost support, increase funding, and make the arts more accessible for every child.
