Youth Art Programs

Art Education is a foundational element of youth education. BCS Youth Art Programs serve hundreds of school-aged kids annually, where students learn the fundamentals of art-making through a community lens. Programs encourage students to make meaningful social and academic connections, problem solve with creative solutions, and learn to think critically about their own communities. See the art initiatives that BCS and our students have been working on, below!

Art as Activism: Summer Murals at BCS Cornerstones

Last summer, BCS launched “Art as Activism,” a new initiative at BCS Cornerstones, programs run through community centers that are located in NYCHA housing developments. Throughout the program, Cornerstone participants engaged in an eight week, beginner and skills-based art workshop. The workshop culminated in the production of public murals in their community centers. While designing the murals, participants responded to the prompt, “What does community mean to you?” Together, they workshopped concepts for their community mural. They learned new skills like drawing, painting, and stenciling techniques, and studying elements of art such as line, shape, space, color, value, and texture. To inform their artistic choices, students studied the work of Brooklyn-based artists Mickalene Thomas, Hank Willis-Thomas, Kehinde Wiley, and Lorna Simpson.

“My favorite part of the mural process is the stenciling,” D’Andre, a 10 year old program participant said. “I play sports and video games, but I’ve never really made art before this, so it taught me a new skill.”

In November 2021, The New York Times took notice of Art as Activism, featuring D’Andre and another Cornerstone artist, Chyanne Cooper. The piece highlights the multiple challenges Brooklyn youth face in gaining access to quality arts and education, and what BCS is doing to support students’ artistic and academic pursuits.

Youth-Led Spaces: Community Mural at The BCS Laurie A Cumbo Children’s Enrichment Center

This Spring, BCS youth and staff —with support from the Pratt Institute’s Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement—produced a mural in the entrance of its new children’s enrichment center on 180 Myrtle Avenue, The Laurie A. Cumbo Children’s Enrichment Center. The center, formerly known as Duffield Children’s Center, serves children aged 3 to 4 in the Fort Greene area and promotes literacy through reading, writing, and creative arts.

Designed in collaboration with staff from the center, the mural features representations of kids enrolled in the program, alongside drawings that respond to the prompt, “What does family mean to you?”

Artists on the project include lead artist Aaron Cooper, teaching artist from Pratt, Drue Schwartz, and contributing artists Jefferson Cruz, Jayden Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Winnie Pierre, and Amy Lopez. We are thrilled to use the fundamental art skills we are teaching our youth to decorate new and inviting spaces for our incoming preschoolers!

Art After Hours: Art Exhibitions at After School Programs

BCS and the Pratt Institute’s Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement collaborated in a 10-week program of after school art education for youth at Seth Low and Farragut Cornerstones. Throughout the program, elementary, middle, and high school students learned skills in printmaking, drawing, painting, and digital imaging. The teaching artist for the courses, Drue Schwartz, taught students foundational art theory like elements of art and principles of design. Students looked at the work of pioneering Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ artists to inform their work. Art pieces reflected an idea or concept of importance to BCS students and displayed a unique worldview.

As students finalized their personal artwork, the program held a community exhibition featuring select student work. Students shared their art with parents and peers, gave insight into their inspirations, and enjoyed snacks in celebration of all they accomplished. Finally, the workshop culminated with a larger discussion of what a path forward as an artist looks like: in college, career, or as a personal and creative endeavor.

The Creative Edge: Workforce Development for Youth

BCS and the Pratt Institute partnered once again, in a workforce development program this Spring! The program provides credential training to creative youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Classes are held at two of our youth programs: Turning Point Education Center, our center for adult literacy services in Sunset Park, and Brooklyn High School for Leadership and Community Service, a BCS transfer high school for over-age, under-credited youth.

First, students gained an introduction to Communications Design through hands-on projects in Adobe InDesign. Each week, teaching artist Cristina Gabriele helped students respond to a real-world design challenge. Students fostered new technical skills and developed their visual vocabulary.

At the end of the program, students take the Adobe InDesign credential exam through which they earn a professional certificate. Youth leave the program equipped with tangible skills for the workforce and life beyond BCS programming.