President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Supports Outstanding Youth Programs
Since 1998, 28 Massachusetts organizations have been
honored by the Presidents Committee on the Arts and
the Humanities (PCAH). In those 10 years, 12 Massachusetts
programs have won top honors in their National Arts
and Humanities Youth Program Awards.
Established in 1998, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards recognize and support outstanding
community arts and humanities programs that celebrate
the creativity of America's young people, provide
them learning opportunities and chances to contribute
to their communities.
PCAH has cited five Massachusetts youth art programs
for excellence in 2008 through its National Arts and
Humanities Youth Program Awards. Sample awardees are:
Berklee
College of Music, Boston Berklee City Music reduces specific
music-related achievement gaps between minority and
nonminority students, and between economically disadvantaged
students and their more advantaged peers. This year-round
program provides quality music instruction, mentoring
and college scholarships to students from Boston as
well as to those enrolled at City Music Network sites.
Four additional programs have been recognized as
finalists:
Express
Yourself, Beverly Express Yourself immerses young people
into the creative world of music, dance and visual
arts and empowers these youth with life-changing results.
Express Yourself celebrates cultural diversity and
collaboration with isolated youth from 17 Department
of Mental Health residential and in-patient facilities
who form their own large community.
Federated
Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, Boston Art A La Carte is an arts education
program that connects Boston youth, ages 11-18, with
artists/educators to obtain in-depth arts instruction,
develop portfolios for college, learn about career
opportunites, and gain practical skills in gallery
and museum work.
Peabody
Essex Museum, Salem The Museum Action Corps provides
opportunities for a culturally diverse group of students
from Massachusetts to learn about museums firsthand
and to gain valuable professional work experience.
The Museum Action Corps combines paid, museum-based
employment with leadership and creativity development
to broaden students' perspectives on work and their
role as members of various communities.
Project
STEP, Boston Project STEP (String Training and Educational
Program) identifies musically talented Black
and Latino students and provides them with a comprehensive
music training program, the primary goal of which
is to prepare them to compete and succeed in the challenging,
rewarding world of classical music.
Each of the 2008 honorees receives grant support from
the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The MCC makes vital
investments in the creative education of our state’s
young people through its grant programs, particularly
its YouthReach
Initiative.
Watch last year's winners Ritmo en Accion dancing
at the White House
National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards focus
national attention on exemplary programs currently fostering
the creative and intellectual development of America's
children and youth through education and practical experience
in the arts and the humanities. Accompanied by a cash
award, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program
Awards not only reward these projects with recognition
but also contribute significant support to their continued
work.
A complete list of Massachusetts
groups honored by the President's Committee on the
Arts and the Humanities
Angkor Dance Troupe, Lowell (award-winner 1999)
Artists for Humanity, South Boston (award-winner 2001)
ArtWorks!, New Bedford
Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield (award-winner,
2007)
Berklee College of Music, Boston (award-winner, 2008)
Boston Photo Collaborative, Jamaica Plain (award-winner
2003)
Boston Youth Symphony, Boston
Community Art Center, Cambridge (award-winner 2005)
Computer Clubhouse, Boston
Express Yourself, Peabody
Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House, Dorchester
Fitchburg Public Schools, 21st Century Learning Center
Freelance Players (Urban Improv), Jamaica Plain
Fuller Center for Craft, Brockton
Huntingon Theatre Company, Boston
Hyde Square Task Force, Boson (award-winner 2007)
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (award-winner 2005)
MYTOWN, Boston (award-winner 2003)
PAH! Deaf Youth Theatre at Wheelock Family Theatre,
Boston (award-winner, 1998)
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
Project STEP, Boson
Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Boston (award-winner
2004)
Raw Art Works, Lynn (award-winner 2000)
South Boston Neighborhood House, South Boston
Shakespeare & Company, Lenox (award-winner 2006)
Stonehill College (Arts Outreach), Easton
Worcester Center for Crafts
ZUMIX, East Boston
