Arts-education organizations COMPAS and Young Audiences of MN merged this month, and the new entity -- which retains the name COMPAS -- will combine the rosters of artists and arts-education programs to save money and be more effective.

Working with teachers, schools and communities, the merged organization will serve nearly 600,000 Minnesotans in the coming school year. 

Young Audiences of MN, an affiliate of Young Audiences, Inc., based in New York City, has worked with elementary schoolchildren in Minneapolis, while COMPAS works with schools in St. Paul and throughout Minnesota. Both organizations also have separate programs, such as YAMN’s Real Art + Real Kids, St. Joseph’s Home for Children partnership, and Milkweed Edition’s Alliance for Reading, and COMPAS’ Arts in Health Care, ArtsWork, United Arts Fund, and grant-making programs.

The groups began planning the merger last year, and they've worked on combining programs in recent months. 

Members from both boards will serve on the merged board of directors, with Joe Schmitt of Travelers named the new president. COMPAS Executive Director Bob Olsen remains in charge, and all staff from both groups will stay with the organization, officials said.