The Youngstown City School District (YCSD) is excited to announce that eight of its schools have been awarded a $28,000 TeachArtsOhio grant from the Ohio Arts Council for the 2025–2026 school year. These highly competitive grants will fund a yearlong artist residency where a professional artist will conduct workshops within classrooms to integrate music into daily learning experiences.
The eight funded schools are:
Paul C. Bunn Elementary School
Harding Elementary School
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School (MLK)
Taft Elementary School
Volney at McGuffey Elementary School
East Middle School
Chaney Middle School
Rayen Early College Middle School
Each school will host nationally recognized Hip-Hop artist Demetrius “Nova the Rebel” Thomas as part of the district’s Artist-in-Residence program. Coming to Youngstown fresh off the success of his viral video, Black Inventors, Mr. Thomas brings both artistic excellence and cultural relevance to the classroom.
His return to Youngstown is a testament to the impact he’s made; scholars have expressed a strong desire for his presence after experiencing his empowering workshops, which encourage self-expression and build confidence. Teachers have noted a remarkable transformation in classroom dynamics, as his engaging approach captivates nearly every scholar. His work aligns seamlessly with the district’s goals by enhancing literacy, promoting Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, advancing music education, and fostering social-emotional learning.
“Arts education is a vital pathway for our scholars to cultivate creativity, build confidence, and enhance critical thinking,” said Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. “We are deeply grateful to the Ohio Arts Council for their continued investment in the Youngstown City School District, and to Nova the Rebel for igniting the spark in our scholars to discover and express their unique voices.”
These residencies will culminate in scholar showcases, family engagement events, and community celebrations while highlighting the transformative role of the arts in education.