Beginning in 2005, Bird Street Community Center expanded its programs to include the study of arts and humanities in order to offer youth activities that enhance creative expression.  Studio courses in drawing and painting, sculpture, design, etc. are offered weekly.  Dance classes that include ballet, hip hop, stepping, krumping, jazz, African, Latin and tap give youth creative physical activities.  Fashion Design, Jewelry Making, Tee-Shirt Design, and Glass Blowing provide additional activities that are not generally available to our youth.  For the elementary and middle school programs, we also offer band and chorus.  Poetry, Book Clubs, and our monthly Newsletter offer writing opportunities.
Our unique Arts Entrepreneur Program, launched in 2006 gives 50 middle schoolers a year round experience in either Fashion Design, Dance or Glass Arts.  These programs begin each July with intensive artistic study and small business development classes.  Youth workers and professional artists work together to provide the creativity, the social/emotional wellness, and the business skills that lead to economic self-sufficiency (a paid job).  Applications for this competitive program are advertised February 1 of each year, with candidates named each May.  During the school year, these arts entrepreneurs work two evenings a week learning more about their craft and either selling and/or exhibiting/performing their work.  These youth receive an annual stipend plus honorariums for each exhibition or performance.
The Arts Entrepreneur Program is supported both by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
In the fall of 2008, we began a new partnership with our first middle school, the Clarence Edwards in Charlestown, where we provide arts entrepreneurship and leadership training to 6th,  7th and 8th graders.
For the past several years, Bird Street youth have participated in “Culture for Change”, a multi-funder project that brings youth development and the arts together to address important social justice issues. In our current Culture for Change project, 45 youth in groups of 15 are creating a photography exhibit, a stained glass exhibit and then performing an original cantata, all under the direction of Bird Street staff and professional artists in residence.
The Arts & Humanities Program Track is coordinated by Artist in Residence, Kim Blodgett who can be reached at 617-282-6110 extension 20.  Her email address is kblodgett@birdstreet.org.