We painted a community mural on the playground at University Park! Huge thank you to the
Main South Community Development Corporation, Casey Starr, and local artist Hank VonHellion for their collaboration!
Organizational Growth
We were able to add several new Board Members, launch a Volunteer Committee, and hire a full-time Executive Director!
8th Annual Summer Program
We celebrated our 8th Annual Full-Day Summer Program at Clark University, offering free arts programming to Worcester youth ages 8-12! This program hosted full day workshops of visual art, dance, and drama, music, and creative writing to 50 youth and 17 Teen Leaders, including transportation and lunch provision—all free of cost to participants!
Summer Program Expansion
We expanded our summer programming by 5 additional weeks by partnering with Creative Hub Worcester to launch a joint-program called, “IDEA Hub!” This program hosted workshops of visual art, dance, and drama to 25 youth ages 8-12, and 4 Teen Leaders!
Special Events
We hosted youth arts activities at and participated in several local events, including:
- Events with the Main South CDC
- Artists in the Afternoon
- Halloween in the Park
- Woodland Academy Events
- Woodland Academy Cultural Day
- Exhilarate Worcester Art Festival
- City Art Festivals
- Make Music Worcester
- stART on the Street
- Pow! Wow! Worcester!
- Local Events
- Main South Block Party (with REC Worcester)
- New England VegFest
- YWCA Stand Against Racism
- Working for Worcester
- Festival of Lights
Main IDEA at Clark U
Clark University students launched a student-led club called, “Main IDEA at Clark U,” facilitating students to volunteer on behalf of our organization throughout the school year!
Fall Arts Program
We hosted our 2nd Annual Fall Arts Youth Program on Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Oct 8th) at Clark University! This program hosted a full day of workshop in visual art, dance, drama, and music to an average of 20 youth, with lunch provided—all free of cost to participants!
Teen Arts Program
We re-launched our Main IDEA Teen Arts Program this past Fall, offering weekly arts classes to Worcester teens ages 13-17, including dance, visual art, and music—all free of cost to participants! In conclusion of the first term of classes, our students performed dance choreography they had learned at a Clark University special event!
Teen Open Mic & Art Nights
We began hosting monthly Teen Open Mic & Art Nights at the Worcester PopUp this past Fall! The program hosts Worcester youth ages 13-17, facilitating a youth open mic for musicians, poets, dancers, etc., while also offering visual arts activities and refreshments!
Worcester Youth Concerts
We began hosting seasonal Youth Concerts, providing performance opportunities for young aspiring artists in Worcester. The program hosts local youth ages 13-17, featuring young musicians, visual artists, dancers, and rock bands!
