The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is excited to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens through our Arts & Innovation programs. Arts & Innovation creates safe, inclusive, and engaging environments where Club members can unleash their creativity and learn new skills.
About Arts & Innovation
The Arts & Innovation strategy focuses in five areas of the arts, including performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, music studio & production and digital arts.
“The programs, resources, and artistic experiences provided by Arts & Innovation promote expression and creativity, helps our members develop necessary soft skills, and provides a platform for healthy and thoughtful cultural and political discussions,” said Director of Arts & Innovation Ruben Royster. “The Arts & Innovation Effect Workshop series is designed to give our members the opportunity to take an in-depth approach into specific areas of the art industry. This workshop series provides professional practice teaching artists, hands-on experience, and a safe space for members to employ youth voice, create, learn, and simply have fun.”
Upcoming Summer Partnerships
- The Arts & Innovation team is also excited about their upcoming partnerships this summer. In partnership with Theatrical Outfits, BGCMA will pilot Rythm & Revision at the Harland Club and Grant Club, where teens will get hands-on experience with theater arts.
- BGCMA is also partnering with Gensler for Club Ideate. Held at Savannah College of Art and Design’s Atlanta campus, the camp will provide 7th, grade, 8th grade, and 9th graders with an immersive experience about the principles of design and architecture.
- In addition, Warner Media’s Reimagine Media: From School to Possibilities will give Club members at our Warren Club the opportunity to learn more about Warner Media, the media industry, and the wide array of career opportunities available.
Register now for summer camp now! Teens ages 14-18 get FREE membership!
Recent Arts & Innovation Programs
Inaugural Central Cluster Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead LEGO Build Competition
On April 15, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) hosted our inaugural Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead LEGO Build Competition at our Center for a New Generation at the Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy (CNG-TAG) Boys & Girls Club. In one month, each team was challenged to construct a LEGO object using a 15, 000-pece LEGO kit. Club participants included Harland (Panthers), Draper (Draperkons), Purpose-Built Thomasville (the Avengers), Team Purpose-Built Slater (the Visioneers), and Warren (Warriors). Read more about the LEGO Build Competition here.
The Arts & Innovation Effect Workshop Series: Music & Studio Production
During spring break, Club teens participated in a two-day workshop based on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the entertainment industry. Our young artists had a hands-on experience combining both traditional and modern methods of music production. The workshop focused on five areas: music production, music business, songwriting/content creation, video production, and live music. Our Club members also had the opportunity to do a virtual Q&A with Grammy Awarding winning producers Pierre the Maven (Mary J. Blige, Usher) and DJ SCREAM (Rick Ross, Gucci Mane).
This project was made possible by a grant from Fulton County Arts and Culture.
Arts & Innovation Dance Master Class “Rhythm & Dance” with Celebrity Choreographer Jamal Josef
Celebrity choreographer Jama Josef offered a dance master class, Rythm & Dance, for nearly 50 members from across the organization. Club members of all ages (and a few staff) received dance instruction from Josef whose credits include Beyoncé (Coachella), Super Bowl 2022 Pre-Game Show, AGT, N.E.R.D. Da Baby, Raphael Saadiq, Faith Evans, Jordin Sparks and more.
Camp Amp’ed at Camp Kiwanis (Art Music Performance Education)
Camp Amp’ed (Feb. 18 – 20) was nothing short of spectacular! In just two days, teens across our 26 Metro Atlanta Clubs pulled their artistic talents together to create “Innovation without Limits,” a showcase of music, visual arts & performance at Camp Kiwanis. Read more about the awesome work our teens did here.
