SMARTS, or Students Motivated by the Arts, has a focus on teaching young people how they can use their creativity to help expand their skill sets in a number of areas. 

That mission doesn't just begin in the teen years. 

Early SMARTS is a program that focuses on children as young as 18 months, on up to five years of age. 

At an open house Saturday, kids were exposed to four areas: visual art, music, dance and theater. 

Organizers say the focus of each is to help develop a sense of cooperation, encourage creativity and learn to work together through the arts. 

Those who designed the program say these programs specifically help build color recognition, fine motor skills, rhythm, curiousity and confidence. 

Located in the Ohio One building on East Boardman Street in downtown Youngstown, families can enroll by contacting the center at 330-574-2787 or by filling out an application here.