The arts have had a significant impact in low-income and minority communities in the Twin Cities region in part thanks to their ability to strengthen community bonds, inspire young people, bolster economic development, and spark a sense of possibility, a report from the Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corp. finds. The Promise of Arts-Based Community Development (3 pages, PDF) highlights LISC-supported projects involving galleries, art and design classes, public performances, and neighborhood beautification efforts in Twin City neighborhoods facing economic and social challenges — and the impact of those projects on area businesses, youth, and sense of community. According to the report, youth who participate in arts programs often feel as if they have been given a voice and are more likely than non-participants to learn discipline and critical thinking skills, achieve academic success, and become contributing members of their communities. Indeed, arts and culture have the greatest impact on a community, the report argues, when everyone feels welcome and empowered to participate in a collective activity and that sense of empowerment, in turn, helps create a greater sense of opportunity and possibility.