About
The Creating Abundance Collaborative (CAC) champions the transformative power of creativity in the lives of young people.
Our mission is to build and strengthen the movement for broad-based support of the Creative Youth Development field’s youth-led pursuit of transformative change.
By nurturing learning, fostering relationships, and facilitating cross-sector collaboration, we create opportunities for dialogue and discovery. These efforts culminate in increased funding, advocacy, and policies that strengthen and expand the scale and depth of Creative Youth Development throughout the United States.
Our Story
Creating Abundance Collaborative was incubated in 2024 by The Lewis Prize for Music (TLPM), a five-year $20 million national philanthropy supporting music-focused CYD organizations pursuing equitable systems change with youth artistry at the forefront. Founded by Board Chair Daniel R. Lewis and CEO Dalouge Smith, TLPM supported over 80 organizations between 2020-2024. In addition, TLPM’s research and campaigns brought visibility to CYD’s intrinsic cross-sector approaches to supporting the safety, maturation, and self agency of children and adolescents through creative learning.
Upon the conclusion of TLPM, CAC became a fiscally sponsored project at the Clare Rose Foundation Center for Creative Youth Development. Dalouge Smith and Karen Cueva transitioned from TLPM to co-lead CAC as Executive Director and Deputy Director.
Learn about our journey of forming the Collaborative in these articles:
CYD Insights
Creative Youth Development (CYD) is a commitment to supporting young people’s stories, ideas, and dreams through creative expression and honoring their lived experiences.
Three concepts must be present:
Racial Equity and Social Justice
Youth Voices
Collective Action
Direct Services provided to Young People
Core Characteristics of CYD
Support for Youth-Led Movement Building
Strong Internal Equity Orientations
Deep Community Partnerships
Characteristics are most prevalent in BIPOC-Led Organizations and Multi-Genre Organizations.
Let’s Connect!
Our ultimate goal is for young people to thrive today and in the future, with the skills and passion to meaningfully contribute to their communities.