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Closer Look Staff | WABE
June 24th, 2026
Research suggests engaging with the arts can benefit young people by fostering self-expression and building community — and a partnership between AileyCamp Atlanta and Utopian Academy for the Arts is showing similar results in Georgia.
“ It’s the confidence, it’s the transformation, it’s the artistic development of young people that have keen interests within the arts,” said Dr. Artesius Miller, founder and CEO of Utopian Academy for the Arts, the first state-chartered, tuition-free, fine arts school in Clayton County. “And then this is within a short timeframe too, that we have to recognize the impact of this camp because it’s truly remarkable to witness.”
Since 2007, AileyCamp has offered a free six-week summer day camp teaching everything from dance techniques to percussion instruments and other creative arts.
”And then we have the core of our program, which is personal development,” said AileyCamp Atlanta Director Joy Pigg. “We talk about self-awareness and positive self-image and self-care and the tenets and the core of good communication … all of those good tools that every young person needs.”
Pigg and Miller joined Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look with Rose Scott” to share more about the organizations’ partnership ahead of the camp’s final performance Friday at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center.
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