Sparking Investment in Youth Arts

On March 23, 2010, ARTWorks for Kids coalition member ZUMIX, a music production youth-serving organization, celebrated the opening of its new home, the renovated Engine 40 fire house in East Boston. Mayor Thomas Menino performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, surrounded by ZUMIX board members, community partners, staff, and friends. State Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Boston City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina, and Boston City Councilor At-Large Felix Arroyo commemorated the organization’s impact in the East Boston community and encouraged the approximately 150-person audience to return to ZUMIX to witness the songwriting, chorus, radio journalism, rock band, and audio technology programming. View photographs of the ribbon-cutting ceremony here.

Afternoon workshops with peer youth arts organizations followed, capped off by a celebration of ZUMIX’s successes in the evening. Its student band, DiverCity, performed for philanthropists, artists, community supporters, and policy makers. In true collaborative spirit, ZUMIX shared its stage with a band from Community Music Center of Boston.

Guests were inspired by keynote speaker Massachusetts State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s personal and family’s arts background. She urged guests to continue advocating for cultural programs that change the lives of underserved kids. Listen to Senator Chang-Diaz’s speech and enjoy photographs from the evening in two parts here:

From the Dance Studio to the State House

A Call to Action

Dancers from OrigiNation and Hyde Square Task Force energized guests with performances. Pairs salsa-danced until the music ended, welcoming ZUMIX’s guests into its new home.