Say Si
About Say Si
At SAY Sí, middle and high school students in San Antonio are making things that get seen, heard, and performed. They do it year-round, tuition-free, in visual arts, media arts, theatre, and new media, while building artistic, social, and leadership skills along the way. For donors, that means supporting a place where creative work is not an extra, it is the point.
What sets SAY Sí apart is how long it stays with students and how real the work is. Students are not just taking classes, they are making original work, getting peer mentoring, and sharing it through exhibitions and performances. The program also gives middle school and high school students distinct spaces to grow in visual arts, media arts, theatre, and new media.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Visual Arts
Project-based visual arts instruction in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, installation art, artist statements, critiques, exhibitions, and commissioned artwork.
Media Arts
Film, photography, writing, digital media, editing, storytelling through digital media, video production, animation, and digital arts.
Theatre Arts / ALAS (Activating Leadership, Art & Service)
A youth theatre program focused on original performance work, acting, directing, playwriting, movement, spoken word, voice, technical theatre, stage management, and public performance.
Working Artists & Mentors (WAM)
A year-round multidisciplinary middle school program in visual arts, theatre, and media arts that uses peer-to-peer mentoring with high school student instructors.
HIVE (Home for Innovation and Video Ecology)
A seasonal new media studio where students create digital and tech-based work, including animation, graphic design, game development, web development, interactive media, sound art, and electronic music.
Arts outreach program
Community arts outreach described as serving the community with arts outreach.
Summer camp
A middle school studio camp offering hands-on projects in visual, media, and theatre arts.
ABC
About this work
Mission
SAY Sí ignites the creative power of young people as forces of positive change. We value artists, empower marginalized communities, and advance culture.
Who they serve
Middle and high school students in San Antonio, especially students interested in visual arts, media arts, theatre, and new media.
Their impact
- In 2024, SAY Sí served 180 students in 48 schools.
- A summer ALAS theatre intensive served 40 students, the largest theatre cohort to date.
- When SAY Sí began, it initially served 12 students from one high school.
How your donation helps
- Keeping programs tuition-free for students
- Supporting year-round creative youth-development programming
- Funding student exhibitions, performances, and arts events
- Supporting the Small Scale Big Impact art auction campaign
Need help?
How someone in need can access Say Si’s services.
Students in grades 6 through 11 can apply for year-round programs with parental or guardian permission, reliable transportation, and a commitment to attendance and studio participation. Applicants are reviewed, invited to interview, and accepted students and parents attend a mandatory orientation before joining.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
We are all connected.
through our creative community ANYTHING is possible.
Events
Small Scale Big Impact
annualAnnual art auction and celebration supporting SAY Sí’s tuition-free creative youth-development programs.
Muertitos Fest
annualAnnual Día de los Muertos celebration featuring student art, a procession, workshops, and performances.
Youth Summit
occasionalA two-day youth summit in San Antonio with workshops, artist talks, performances, community tours, and open studios.
Youth art exhibitions and family events
year-roundYear-round public exhibitions and family events tied to student work and studio life.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Say Si has shared.
Current needs
- Donations and grants to keep programming tuition-free
- Sponsorships for the Small Scale Big Impact art auction
- Volunteer help for public events and festivals
Volunteer opportunities
- Set up
- Sales
- Marigold handouts
- Greeting
- Break down
- Volunteer help for youth summit events
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Future Ready Impact Grant from the San Antonio Area Foundation
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who can apply to SAY Sí programs?
Middle and high school students, grades 6 through 11, can apply with parental or guardian permission, reliable transportation, and a commitment to year-round participation.
How does the application process work?
Students start with an application. Eligible applicants are interviewed, and accepted students and parents then attend a mandatory orientation before joining.
What does WAM offer middle school students?
WAM gives middle school students a multidisciplinary space for visual arts, theatre, and media arts, with mentoring from high school student instructors.
What is HIVE?
HIVE is SAY Sí’s new media studio, where students work in digital and tech-based forms like animation, game development, web development, interactive media, and electronic art.
Are SAY Sí programs free for students?
Yes. SAY Sí’s year-round programming is tuition-free for students.
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