Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco

BGCSF Citywide Creative Arts Program

Model and Strategy

At BGCSF, Photovoice and the Performing Arts Collaborative are 2 innovative models that have proved successful over the last 2 years. Through the Citywide Creative Arts Program, youth’s creativity is unleashed as they acquire new ways of expression and skill building in the creative arts. Their discovery is applied to a project of their choice that is explored through creative thinking, problem solving and doing. The project becomes relevant to them, their family, or community. Their exploration deepens not only their own self knowing, it is shared with key community audiences and in unexpected places that inspire dialogue. Some sharing may take place in the Club or in unexpected venues in the community; taking their art to the people who they wish to engage most in the dialogue. Empathy is fostered when opposing ideas meet and discovery happens that can create further connection and meaning. Youth find their voice, discover their power for change, and become Creative Game Changers.

Impact

A more dynamic and more inclusive San Francisco will be a transformational impact. The project can develop a worldview grounded in art that is good for the young person and good for San Francisco.

The collaborative will develop a lifelong relationship between the youth to San Francisco’s cultural institutions, many of whom are partners in this project: SF Ballet, SF Jazz, Open Studios, SF Cameraworks. Young people will be current and future patrons of the arts. Currently, many young artists at BGCSF can see themselves as a liability, not an asset, in established, cultural institutions. But, in fact, young people can improve arts organizations for the long­term by looking at issues such as inclusion, exclusion, and the relationship between art and commerce. As future influencers of the San Francisco art scene, young artists will develop sophisticated critical perspectives that will question the status quo.

Photovoice projects can have great public value, building social capital. Collaborative will give disadvantaged youth at seat at the table in the creative arts community. Youth then, over time, spread that impact through their neighborhoods, their families, and their friends.

Project image 1
Project image 2
Project image 3
Project image 4

Leadership

  • Patricia

    Patricia Zamora

    Area Director