The aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventive effect of an after-school culturally-based arts program with low-income urban children. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in adaptive functioning and in problem behaviors for program participants as compared to a comparison group through self-reported, parental-reported, and teacher-reported measures. The main findings indicated that the participating children experienced an increase in self-esteem, social skills, and in leadership competencies as compared to the comparison group.