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The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is inviting teen creatives to join the BOPA Youth Arts Council in order for Baltimore's youth perspective to be heard in arts programming and policy. We are seeking creative young people between the ages of 14 and 19 who have an interest in the arts, writing, event planning and education policy.
This year’s Council is currently designing workshops that address mental health through the arts. They are working with Make Studio and Maryland Citizens for the Arts to design a workshop to bring to the Best in MD Arts Education Festival this April as a Master Class and will be presenting their journey at the MD Arts Summit in June
The Baltimore Youth Arts Council includes 6 students who attend Bard High School, Baltimore School for the Arts, Polytechnic and Baltimore City College. They are an exuberant and passionate group focused on connecting with the larger Baltimore Arts Community and mirroring the work of the Baltimore Arts Council at the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts while focusing their energy on a project of their design.
Meet the 2019-2020 Youth Arts Council
The Council is focused on connecting with the larger Baltimore Arts Community and finding their own place in the City’s Arts’ Ecosystem while focusing their energy on a project of their design.
This year’s Council would like to design workshops that address mental health issues through the arts.
Applications are now OPEN for the BOPA Youth Arts Council.
Basic Timeline:
Beginning of September - Call for nominations & applications are distributed and posted online
October 1 - Submissions are due to BOPA
Mid-October - Youth Arts Council candidates are interviewed
November 1 - Youth Arts Council's first meeting
November - July - Youth council meetings & special events/workshops are produced
July 25 - Soiree (annual event) for teen participants, and their families, to honor youth council members
Do you have to be an artist to join the youth council?
No, but an artist can be many things-an artist can write, perform, draw, cook, enjoy working with others towards a common goal, etc. These are all activities that BOPA considers art forms.
How will this help me with my professional career?
The Youth Arts Council is a great addition to your resume for college or future jobs. It says that you have worked at a major arts organization, have skills in public event planning, understand educational policy, and know how to collaborate with peers to achieve a goal. Working with other teens to problem solve and advocate for arts access helps to build critical thinking skills.
How often does the council meet?
The council typically meets bi-weekly (every other week) at BOPA for (2) hours after school during the week. On weeks when BOPA hosts Youth Arts Council produced activities, the council may meet more frequently.
How long can a teen be a member of the youth council?
Teens who choose to can remain members of the Council for the duration of their high school career until graduation (through 12th grade) and as near peer council members after high school.
Sarah Doccolo | Arts Education Coordinator
Phone: 443-263-4301| SDoccolo@promotionandarts.org