An arts-based afterschool program is introduced in advancing children's democratic citizenship and a sense of community. The ARtS Initiative (Aesthetic, Reflexive thoughts, & Sharing) has reimagined arts and aesthetics for young people in urban settings, providing an unquantifiable experience focused on promoting pluralistic societies. The program was designed to afford fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in neighborhood schools opportunities to grow and demonstrate skills in dance, poetry, and clay pottery. Reflecting on successful implementation of the program, the author suggests three important principles for implementation: (1) Connecting art and aesthetic experience with equity issues; (2) Developing a safe learning environment for sharing multiple perspectives; and (3) Creating a common language for university-school-community partnerships.