What's in Shop for August?

August Newsletter 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Many thanks to all who have supported the Eliot School Resiliency Fund to see us through the Spring/Summer schoolhouse closure. Thanks to you, we met our match and were able to raise over $200,000. More than 400 gifts large and small have helped offset lost tuition revenue. We still have much work to do as we continue to navigate the pandemic. But thanks to you, we are better positioned to continue the work that we love: sharing craft and creativity with you all. If you haven’t given yet, it’s not too late. Thank you!

Professional Development for Art Teachers During COVID 

Open Door Arts and Wheelock Family Theatre join with us to present a professional development opportunity, responding to the needs of K-12 students and teachers at this extraordinary time – 4 sessions, 8/17–9/9. Morning or evening series available. PD points apply.

Supporting the Processing of Experiences through the Arts during COVID (SPEAC) will prepare teaching artists to support students to process and express their lived experiences amidst the current health crisis, ongoing racial injustice, and the racial awakening and opposition in society, working toward personal and community transformation. Learn more here.

SPEAC is made possible through the generous support of BPS Arts Expansion Fund and C.F. Adams Charitable Trust. 

August Virtual Classes for Kids 

Enroll your kids in two August classes with favorite Summer Program teachers. 

Robotics & Coding
Create virtual robots using Vex Code VR, instructor-led, with optional homework prompts. $100.
Register with DEILab:
Ages 6-8, August 10-14, 10-11am
Ages 9-12, August 17-21, 10-11am

Stop-Motion Animation 
Create animated video from start to finish. Grouped by Grades 3-5, 6-7, high school and adults, twice a week through August. $185 includes Special Supply Box mailed to your home.
Register with Klementina:   or (609) 509-5146.

Welcome Amber Torres, Youth Program Coordinator

We welcome Amber Torres as our new Youth Program Coordinator. Amber is an artist, curator and podcaster. Amber has curated exhibitions at Boston City Hall and Strand Theater Gallery, facilitated lectures and workshops with nearby colleges and high schools, and continues to contribute to the city's grassroots art and media scene. An alumna of Boston Arts Academy, she served as BAA’s Outreach manager, responsible for recruitment, summer programming and workshops for international arts educators.

Amber will work with our School & Community Partnerships, Teen Bridge and Artist in Residence Programs as we continue to support young people in envisioning and making their futures.

Join the Team through AmeriCorps

Learn about community-driven art education from the inside. Work as a Teachers Aide in our Partnership Program, and assist with program administration. We're excited to partner with Notre Dame Mission Volunteers to offer our very first AmeriCorps position, to start Sept 1. Access the application here.

National Endowment for the Arts Supports AIR

We're excited to receive support from the National Endowment for the Art (NEA) for our Artist in Residence project, "InterGeneration." Carolyn Shadid Lewis is working with Teen Bridge to bring elders and youth together, reflecting on past and present moments through interviews and cut-paper animation. It's an honor to receive national recognition for this moving project during the pandemic.

Create the Vote  

It's time for the creative community to come together and commit to building a more just, inclusive, representative democracy. We support increased participation in elections through voter registration, education and turnout. Join us, along with MASSCreative, in building a more equitable future and pledge to #CreateTheVote.

Program Innovation Working Group 

Members of our board, Advisory Council, staff and faculty met recently in a 3-day ideation process, thinking about ways we can improve our programs as we emerge from the pandemic. We're looking at ways to build our artistic excellence, community engagement, racial equity and financial sustainability over the coming years.

Shout out to Kevin Cradock Builders 

Congratulations to our partner, Kevin Cradock Builders, on the launch of their new website. Cradock’s love for craft and craftsmanship shows in their work and their support of our programs through class underwriting and the Kevin Cradock Youth Scholarship. The new website, like their work, is beautiful.