Youth-led Action at Boston Public Schools Community Meeting

Pasqualina Azzarello’s graphic illustration of the Community Meeting

In partnership with Hyde Square Task Force and the #BosTeenArts coalition, MASSCreative is working to ensure every Boston High School student receives at least one arts course before graduation. As part of the campaign, MASSCreative has been working with teens to share their stories and participate in civic meetings held by the Boston School Committee and Superintendent. 

This fall, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius held a number of community meetings with students, families, staff, district partners, and community members to gather input on the school district’s priorities. Come January, Dr. Cassellius will deliver a new strategic plan that will guide the work of the district over the next three school years. 

On November 25, teens from Hyde Square Task Force turned out in full force at the Community Meeting held at English High School in Jamaica Plain to make the case for arts education. In true community organizing fashion, teens greeted attendees at the door, handing out #BosTeenArts flyers and stickers. It was clear that youth not only had a presence in the room, but were a leading the discussion around the need for arts education for every BPS student. 

Hyde Square Task Force teens in action

MASSCreative’s work with #BosTeenArts will continue into the new year as we relaunch Youth Arts Action, an initiative to amplify the power and voices of teen artists so they can create positive change in their communities. To help develop the Youth Arts Action Initiative, MASSCreative Program Director, Tracie Konopinski has been participating in National Arts Strategies’ New England Creative Community Fellows Program. 

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