Baltimore Youth Arts

This year marks 20 years in Baltimore and 40 years on this planet. And all I want from you to celebrate is a donation of any size to Baltimore Youth Arts! This organization is so needed and beloved in Baltimore. But running a grassroots youth program is not easy and especially in the current environment, it's all hands on deck to make sure that spaces like BYA can continue to thrive. Please give a donation of any size to help me meet my birthday goal! Thank you! Baltimore Youth Arts (BYA)  is a community-based arts and workforce development program for youth ages 14–25, focusing on those impacted by the juvenile justice system. BYA offers young people a platform to express themselves, build leadership skills, and prepare for employment and adulthood through paid creative job training, mentorship, and educational programming. We work inside youth detention centers and in the community to ensure that young people are recognized for their creativity, resilience, and power. Your support helps us provide youth stipends, art supplies, job training, and a safe, supportive space where youth can grow and thrive. Together, we’re creating a future where young people are not only heard but hired, healed, and celebrated. https://www.bmoreyoutharts.org/

Every summer, we create space for young people to build skills, earn money, and express themselves through art. Many of the youth in our program have experienced instability, court involvement, or systems that limit their opportunities. At Baltimore Youth Arts, we believe they deserve more. Our Studio Apprentice Program is a 5-week, paid creative workforce program that will engage 20 youth and 4 youth leaders in hands-on artmaking, professional development, field trips, and community-building activities. Many participants return session after session, not just for the paycheck, but because they know their ideas and contributions matter at BYA. For newer youth, this is often their first paid job and the first time they’re in a space where they’re truly seen, supported, and valued. Due to recent funding cuts, we’re facing a gap in support for our summer session. But we’re committed to showing up for youth regardless. With your help, we can still deliver the kind of creative, community-centered experience our participants count on. $15,500 gets us there. Here's how every dollar will help shape the summer: $2,000 for art supplies so youth can design, create, and experiment $2,000 for field trips that connect youth to new ideas, people, and possibilities $2,500 for snacks, meals, and food for orientation and Mock Interview Day $5,000 for operational costs that make the program run smoothly $4,000 to pay youth leaders and staff who show up every day with care and consistency Last summer, 95% of participants completed the full session , 80% returned to work with us again , and several re-engaged with education, jobs, or other community opportunities. With your help, we can keep building those pathways! We’re not just teaching art, we are building trust, skills, and long-term support. Your donation helps fund that future. Let’s make this summer full of growth, creativity, and real opportunity. Thank you for believing in Baltimore youth. Link to BYA's Wishlist: https://a.co/6iwbjr4