Brooklyn Academy of Music Youth Initiatives

The OJJDP FY 09 Earmarks Programs further the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Explanatory Statement Regarding H.R. 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009), 155 Cong. Rec. H1653 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) (statement by Rep. Obey, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House).

Arts education programming for students can open up avenues for personal expression, foster creative and critical thinking skills, increase imagination, build self-esteem, and provide an innovative forum for learning. The need for arts programs that support academic achievement is particularly acute in Brooklyn: in 2006'2007, ten percent of Brooklyn schools reported dropout rates at or above 20%.1 As Brooklyn's largest cultural institution, and with its access to exceptional artistic, cultural and professional resources, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is well-positioned to respond to this need. In 2009'2010, BAM will reach a total of 25,000 students, teachers, and families through its education programs, all of which meet city and state learning standards. BAM will reach 15,000 students through activities to include: in-school workshops, school-time performances, residencies, and after-school programs. BAM's education programs serve students who are not otherwise flourishing in traditional learning environments and are in danger of falling prey to factors that statistically lead to acts of delinquency: of the students served by BAM's education programs, up to 85% are from underserved backgrounds. To meet its program goals, BAM uses quantitative and qualitative evaluation to assess its educational offerings.

NCA/NCF