The "intangible" benefits of the arts are officially measurable.

Peppler, K., Corrigan, S., Dahn, M., Sefton-Green, J., Nelligan, P., DiGiacomo, D., & Mejias, S. (2025). Creative Expression, Caring Relationships, and Career Pathways: A Guide to Youth Outcomes in Community Arts Programs. The Wallace Foundation

A landmark report from The Wallace Foundation introduces a new taxonomy that changes how we evaluate student potential. The data proves that community arts programs aren't just teaching technique—they are cultivating Relational and Opportunity outcomes that are the true engines of long-term success.

At CommonTime, our mission is to ensure this proven potential is recognized and leveraged during the transition to higher education.

The data reveals a student profile built to enrich campus communities:

1) Proven Persistence: 99% of these students report significant growth in self-awareness and collaboration. These are the relational assets that drive campus belonging and long-term retention.

2) The Opportunity Mindset: 94% of alumni utilized their arts background to build professional networks and pre-professional skills. These students arrive on campus ready to navigate career pathways and engage with the wider community.

3) The "Invisible" Asset: Because these benefits are not captured by standardized assessments, they are often missing from recruitment data. This results in institutions missing out on students who are most prepared to contribute to their campus culture.

Our Mission: CommonTime provides the infrastructure to make this inherent value visible. We believe that when an institution recognizes a student’s creative trajectory, they aren't just filling a seat—they are welcoming a student who is ready to contribute to their community and flourish within it.

Read the full taxonomy of student success: here