Every year, one of our grantees, Creating Communities, runs the Arts Mentorship Academy (AMA), a week-long arts camp and mentorship program for low-income and at-risk youth that provides intensive visual, musical and dramatic experiences. This year, as one of Creating Communities’ funders, our board and staff were thrilled to be invite to watch the AMA finale performance.
WATCH THE DRUM CIRCLE IN ACTION IN ONE OF THE AMA REHEARSALS.
Held at Maryland Hall, the finale featured all students of the AMA performing plays, songs, dances, and drum pieces that they had prepared and learned over the course of the preceding week.
The program also included poetry that the students had written in the creative writing portions of the AMA, some of which is excerpted below:
“THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE BUT THAT
DOESN’T MEAN IT IS TOO LATE TO CHANGE.
DON’T LET YOUR DREAM BE A DREAM.
MAKE IT REALITY.”
“ART CAN HELP WITH INNER PEACE
AND SHOWING YOUR FEELINGS...
MUSIC CAN HELP ALL YOUR SENSE
AND IT CAN ALSO HELP YOU
BE GREAT AT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.”
“TO BE A MALE IS A MATTER OF BIRTH.
TO BE A MAN IS A MATTER OF AGE.
BUT TO BE A GENTLEMAN IS A MATTER OF CHOICE.”
When surveyed, 94% of parents responding stated that their child had a broader knowledge of the arts after attending the program, and 89% said that their child’s confidence was increased during the AMA. 83% agree that the experience will help their child succeed in school.
The Helen J. Serini Foundation is proud to be a partner with Creating Communities to continue to harness the power of the arts in programs like the Arts Mentorship Academy in and around Annapolis, Maryland.
“Such a wonderful time together,
Sharing our talents.
Soon this year will be over.
But a memory we will keep
Is the friends, now family, we have made.
Each on Friday having a chance to shine.
We are now growing and have more power.
Art, dance, singing, drumming, and acting
Is something we now know.
The people we met will be in our hearts.”
Creating Communities’ mission is to harness the power of the arts to build life skills and self-esteem, and foster connections across cultures. The organization seeks to partner with communities and provide underserved populations with direct access to the arts through innovative programs and mentorships. For more information, visit www.creatingcommunities.net.