61 Boston, Everett Teens Participate In Boch Center's Summer Arts Employment Program

The Boch Center, one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts institutions, announced the launch of this summer's award-winning City Spotlights Leadership Program. During the paid six-week youth employment program, 61 Boston and Everett teens will develop leadership skills through hands-on arts training. This year's participants represent 12 Boston neighborhoods and Everett and 29 Greater Boston schools. To date, the program has employed more than 300 teen leaders.

This year's City Spotlights Summer Leadership Program participants have selected to use the arts to explore the complexities of love and acceptance in modern times. In the coming weeks, they will examine how contemporary culture and political climates influence our capacity and understanding for self-love, love of others, love of community and the systematic representation of love and acceptance as demonstrated through laws and policies.

Current issues influencing this year's program theme include the detaining of immigrants and separation of families at the border; the back and forth in legality of gay marriage; the empowerment of Queer and Trans identities; the impact of social media on self-acceptance, self-love and self-image; and the use of technology as a means of creating (and deleting) relationships. Previous topics have included how to combat stereotypes, defining the American Dream, anti-bullying, equality and self-acceptance.

"We're now in our eighth year of the City Spotlights Leadership Program and each year, I'm blown away by how creative and insightful these young people are," said Josiah A. Spaulding, Jr., President & CEO of the Boch Center. "Part of the Center's nonprofit mission is to expand access to the arts and this program is a prime example of the positive impact the arts can have in our lives. Each summer, we watch teens blossom into confident young leaders who use the arts as a means of expression and a tool to develop important leadership skills, including public speaking, problem solving and collaboration. We hope members of the community will join us at one of the exciting City Spotlights events this summer!"

City Spotlights is a unique youth employment program that empowers local teens to become leaders in school, at home, and in their communities by using their creative voices. Core components of the paid six-week program include leadership training, community advocacy, and job readiness, each of which help teens develop skills necessary to navigate the rapidly changing 21st century economy. Program highlights include an advocacy day at the Massachusetts State House (this Wednesday, July 18), a flash mob tour across Boston (July 26), a series of community workshops (August 1-7) and an original artistic showcase on the Shubert Theatre stage (August 15).

Returning Teen Leader Michaela states, "I returned to City Spotlights this summer because the program creates an environment that promotes support, community, strong relationships and safety. It's a space I really like!"

All members of the Greater Boston community are welcome and encouraged to attend the upcoming State House advocacy day this Wednesday, July 18, at 11:00AM to hear teen leaders discuss the importance of arts funding and the role arts and culture play in this community.

Click here to learn more about City Spotlights and watch an overview video of the program.

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