Community Art Center, Inc.

?? Just had an incredible experience attending NAEYC Annual Conference 2024! ?? #naeycAC - via #Whova event app

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” ― Ralph Ellison Spreading messages of hope & community during a time that can feel heavy with uncertainty, Port Arise, & Community Art Center's Family Advocate, Kosar Mohamed, was featured in Cambridge Day ?? “Ernest Gabriel struggled to pay his monthly bills and needed a job closer to home. Joanne Parker needed help overcoming depression and getting a job. For Gabriel and Parker, residents of The Port neighborhood in Cambridge, that future was made possible with the help of Port Arise, a local social services program housed within the nonprofit Community Art Center. ‘They really did help me come from a dark spirit into being me now,’ said Parker, 57. Port Arise serves primarily The Port, a historically racially diverse and low-income neighborhood. The program started in 2020 as a collaboration between the art center and two neighboring nonprofits, Tutoring Plus and the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House. Port Arise is now run solely by the art center and family advocate Kosar Mohamed. Mohamed works with people one-on-one, connecting them to a network of resources for help such as finding housing, medical care or child care. ‘They set their goals and then you collaborate with them on how they would like to achieve their goals,’ said Mohamed, who has run the program since 2021. Since 2020, Port Arise has graduated four, yearlong cohorts totaling about 70 clients. In September, it moved on from that model and started a “rolling-basis” cohort focused on providing on-demand services, said Erin Muirhead McCarty, executive director of the Community Art Center... Those who received services from Port Arise feel the benefits of commitment to helping the community.” #communitycare #humanity #mutualaid https://lnkd.in/eNmpnTXk

Did you catch Community Art Center teens on the news last week?! "A new project in Cambridge is letting people take their art to go: old vending machines are being transformed to dispense original artworks by teenagers. This project is the latest creative collaboration between the city and local artists, and it is adding a lot of excitement around the community. The Community Art Center in Cambridge began working on the concept a year ago and they’ve already installed 2 of these vending machines in the area. But that’s not all the program is doing to inspire creativity in the community. They looked at a wall outside of their building and asked neighbors what they could do to make it better. Through a grant they were able to create a mural and add vibrancy to the street. These young artists hope both projects encourage more people to explore art. Looking to support the teens and their artwork? You can find the vending machines at the Cambridgeside Galleria and at Bow Market in Somerville." #cambridgema #publicart #teenartists #artvendingmachine #wearethelight https://lnkd.in/eAS5DPKK

We had a time at Do It Your Damn Self!! Youth Film Festival. And when it came to doing it their damn selves, these kids DID! Themes ranged from exploitation in the name of environmentalism; exploration of Black identities; suicide and mental health; transitioning from childhood to adulthood... to an intimate portrait of May Lee's restaurant in a neighborhood undergoing rapid gentrification. Then there were experimental films that infused suspense, drama, and whimsy... Still THE longest-running youth film festival in the country, curated and put on by teens from Community Art Center's Teen Media Program. The DIYDS!! Crew did a fabulous job providing a platform for youth voice! Take a look at what some of the young filmmakers had to say... ?? ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/ebsFk4QZ

Your LAST CHANCE to see some incredible youth films, at the film festival founded in Cambridge, now THE longest-running youth film festival in the country! Join us at Kendall/MIT Open Space for an outdoor screening of some of the nation's brightest emerging talent. Youth organizers from Cambridge put it all together. The films are vulnerable, beautiful, and provocative. See them yourself at DO IT YOUR DAMN SELF!! ?? - TONIGHT! ??

Check out the Official Selection for the 27th Annual Do It Your Damn Self!! National Youth Film Festival ??? We are thrilled to celebrate these teen filmmakers at the longest running youth-led film festival in the country... THIS WEEKEND! DIYDS!! is free and open to all! Join us for these incredible films, hear from talented filmmakers, and enjoy FREE?food, drinks, and activities. Details below: Friday, June 7, at?Harvard Art Museums,?6:00 - 9:00pm Saturday, June 8, at?Kendall/ MIT Open Space,?5:00 - 9:00pm ????#diyds?#doityourdamnself?#filmfestival?#teenfilmmakers?#cambridgema https://lnkd.in/eVHM38hu

This weekend, Community Art Center?celebrates our?27th Annual Do It Your Damn Self!! (DIYDS!!) Youth Film Festival, the longest-running youth-led film festival in the country! And it’s homegrown... originating right here in Cambridge! Formed by 6 Cambridge girls from Community Art Center who understood the importance of owning one’s own stories, confronting issues of misrepresentation, and being curious enough to explore the intersections of identities - all through a youth lens.?We would love to have a big show of support for our youth who produce the film festival, and the filmmakers who participate. The festival is free and open to all, and there is?FREE?food & drinks, and activities provided. Details below: Friday, June 7, at?Harvard Art Museums,?6:00 - 9:00pm Saturday, June 8, at?Kendall/ MIT Open Space,?5:00 - 9:00pm

ARE YOU READY???? Join young creatives from Cambridge and from around the country, as we screen the 27th Annual Do It Your Damn Self!! Youth Film Festival. This weekend, Community Art Center?celebrates our?27th Annual Do It Your Damn Self!! (DIYDS!!) Youth Film Festival, the longest-running youth-led film festival in the country! And it’s homegrown... originating right here in Cambridge! Formed by 6 Cambridge girls from Community Art Center who understood the importance of owning one’s own stories, confronting issues of misrepresentation, and being curious enough to explore the intersections of identities - all through a youth lens.?We would love to have a big show of support for our youth who produce the film festival, and the filmmakers who participate. The festival is free and open to all, and there is?FREE?food & drinks, and activities provided.?Links with more event details are below (feel free to copy/paste/share): Friday, June 7, at?Harvard Art Museums,?6:00 - 9:00pm https://lnkd.in/eDxG2ucm Saturday, June 8, at?Kendall/ MIT Open Space,?5:00 - 9:00pm https://lnkd.in/exZJHzFJ

A story about yesterday: It was SO great to be with other youth changemakers at the?Social Capital Inc.?Youth Grant Pitch Contest SCI Social Capital Inc. We are so proud of Community Art Center’s team, The Dreamers who pitched their idea of creating a public art mural to bring attention to the importance of mental health! They faced tough questions & did an amazing job - one of the youngest groups presenting! Their project was awarded its full amount! It was a great experience to be at Microsoft and listen to so many other strong pitches, too. Congratulations to the other participants, especially our friends and neighbors at Moses Youth Center! Keep a lookout ?? for The Dreamers mural ?? soon to make an appearance in Cambridge! #youngsharks?#changemakers?#mentalhealth?#mentalhealthawareness?#publicart?#pitchcontest?#socialcapital?#dreamers?#artists?#cambridgekids

Please join?Community Art Center?for a special evening to celebrate and honor those who have contributed to youth arts and creative youth development in the Port neighborhood of Cambridge. Enjoy live music and a?Taste of the Port?with local bites from neighborhood chefs, as we toast this year's honorees for their commitment to community, youth, and the arts.