Programs in this area help youth develop creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of visual arts, crafts, performing arts, and creative writing.
The Club Tech Digital Arts Suite and Festivals include self-directed courseware in:
- Web Tech (web page design)
- Design Tech (graphic design)
- Photo Tech (photo illustration)
- Music Tech
These programs provide hands-on opportunities for young people to explore and enhance their digital arts skills.
Digital Arts
Age 6-18
The Digital Arts Festivals recognize the achievements of Club members through local, regional or national festivals building confidence and motivating participants to explore new avenues for artistic expression through technology. Festivals also offer a way for Clubs to demonstrate their commitment to technology and showcase digital arts programs to their communities.
Boys & Girls Club members ages 6-18 compete in the areas of Music Making, Photo Illustration, Movie Making (Film and Animation), Graphic Design and Game Design. While not required, administering programs around those categories is the best way to prepare members for festival participation. Each festival operates on three levels: local, regional and national. Clubs host local festivals, choosing one winner in each category from up to four age groups. These winners then advance to a regional festival hosted at a designated Club in each region. The winners of this round then advance to the National Digital Arts Festival. The festivals run from August to May annually with new posters mailing to all Clubs in the fall.
National Photography Program
Age 6-18
The National Photography Program enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through the appreciation of photography.
The National Photography Program is designed to help youth ages 6 to 18 go beyond taking snapshots and develop the necessary skills to take photographs that can really impact the viewer. The current popularity and accessibility of photography makes it a powerful means to engage youth of all ages in creative programming, while simultaneously teaching them skills they will use for the rest of their lives. For some youth, photography opens a door to creative self-expression that no other art form allows. Others may discover a career path.
DramaMatters Afterschool
Age 6-18
DramaMatters Afterschool is a drama education program for Clubs that encourages members ages 6 to 18 to engage in hands-on activities. Drama education builds self-confidence, sparks creativity and boosts academic achievement.
Drama education builds self-confidence, sparks creativity and boosts academic achievement. The DramaMatters Afterschool Program Guide is a weekly program consisting of 60 minute sessions segmented for beginner, intermediate and advanced members. Each session can be adapted to fit the age of participants as well. The Lessons in Stagecraft Program Guide includes many different ways for members to express themselves creatively, from costumes to set design or directing.
ImageMakers
Age 6-18
For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has celebrated the accomplishments of Club youth as they learn the art and science of photography. After local and regional competitions, the ImageMakers National Photography Contest yields national winners ages 6-18 years old whose photographs compete in four categories: Culture & Tradition, Portraits, Surroundings, and Photo with Essay or Poem.
The annual contest is supported by our National Photography Program designed to help Club members go beyond taking simple snapshots and develop the skills to produce photographs that can truly impact a viewer. The program materials include several components to support an effective and dynamic learning experience including a downloadable facilitator’s guide, instructional videos to help staff prepare for each session, visual presentations to a company lessons, and “How-To” videos for teens that can be shown in the sessions or used by teens for self-directed learning. Boys & Girls Club staff can access the National Photography Program materials by visiting here.
National Fine Arts Exhibit
Age 6-18
This year-round program encourages artistic expression among Club members ages 6 to 18 through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sculpture displayed at local and regional exhibits.
Using the interactive National Fine Arts Program Guide, staff can guide youth through the various art projects with step-by-step instructions and instructional videos. A panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which is displayed throughout the ensuing year at BGCA events, including the annual National Conference.
Young people need positive outlets for creative self-expression, and many have a keen interest in the performing arts. Musical study develops critical thinking, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-confidence and teamwork.
The goal of MusicMakers National Music Education Program is to promote young people’s natural love of music and to increase their appreciation of this art form while building their skills so they can express themselves using instruments such as the guitar or drums.
MusicMakers
Age 6-18
MusicMakers inspires young people to produce music, and to create their life’s soundtrack.
MusicMakers, a music education resource for Clubs, was developed in collaboration with BGCA and NAMM (The International Music Products Association). Designed as a flexible program, it includes a comprehensive guide, a standalone teen component, and four display posters to help promote the program and generate excitement among Club members.
Program Schedule
- Mondays
- 6:00 – 7:30 PM – Ages 12-18
- Tuesdays
- 6:00 – 6:45 PM – Ages 6-7
- 6:45 – 7:30 PM – Ages 8-11
Young people need positive outlets for creative self-expression, and many have a keen interest in the performing arts. Musical study develops critical thinking, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-confidence and teamwork.
The goal of MusicMakers National Music Education Program is to promote young people’s natural love of music and to increase their appreciation of this art form while building their skills so they can express themselves using instruments such as the guitar or drums.
