YOUTH MENTAL
HEALTH MATTERS

In the summer of 2022, BYA youth started to develop a project surrounding the theme of youth mental health and well-being using photography, graphic design, and writing. This art is now displayed on wrapped buses that will travel throughout Baltimore city, displaying the work across neighborhoods, sharing young people’s message about disconnection, taking care of each other, and the strength of youth in the city.

OUR MISSION

Baltimore Youth Arts is a creative entrepreneurship and job training program that provides artistic and professional opportunities to young people ages 14-25, focusing on those involved in the justice system. Our mission is to assist young people in gaining the creative, personal, and educational skills that will enable them to become leaders in their communities.

BYA believes the arts are a path towards personal liberation and self-sufficiency and that they not only positively impact people facing incarceration but also the justice system and perceptions held by the greater community.

BYA uses the arts to engage youth to build long-lasting mentoring relationships. We provide artistic, entrepreneurial, and leadership opportunities to young people to hone their talents and use them to shape the world.

OUR VISION

Baltimore Youth Arts envisions a world where all young people have equal access to opportunities that allow them to discover their purpose.

OUR VALUES

HOPE
No matter what background a person is from, no matter what choices they have made, they are always capable of making a positive impact in their own and others’ lives. 

CONNECTION
Relationship-building is at the core of our work. We aim to develop long-lasting relationships that span adolescence and early adulthood.

TRUST
Believe in the people who make up this community and respect their decisions.

RISK
Take chances, personally and creatively.  Embrace each mistake and learn from them.

INQUIRY
Experiment and ask questions. Meet each person where they are and help foster their creative exploration.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Featured
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Support Baltimore Youth Arts – Help Us Reach $6,000!
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BYA Board Members Interview
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Introducing Our Bloomberg Intern
BYA 2024 Summer Staff
BYA 2024 Summer Staff

RECENT INSTAGRAM POSTS

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED THIS YEAR! The link will remain open for the rest of the year so feel free to give a gift whenever you can. #baltimore #youthprogram #artstudio #artist #givingtuesday #givingthanks
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED THIS YEAR! The link will remain open for the rest of the year so feel free to give a gift whenever you can. #baltimore #youthprogram #artstudio #artist #givingtuesday #givingthanks
BYA is the truth and im the Iviing proof. Thank you for listening to my story, and thanks again for making a change with your donations. #GivingTuesday #SupportTheArts #baltimore #artstudio #givingthanks
We could talk all day about the program but let’s hear what the youth and others have to say… #baltimore #artstudio #youthprogram
We could talk all day about the program but let’s hear what the youth and others have to say… #baltimore #artstudio #youthprogram
Hey everyone! 🙌 It’s Giving Tuesday—and we need your help! We’re trying to raise $6,000 to support the amazing young artists in our program. Your donation@ helps provide art education, on-the-job training, mentorship, and all the creative resources these talented youth need to get making art, friendships, changes, and wages! 🎨 But we can’t do it without YOU! Here’s how you can help: 〰️Donate today and make a difference: Tinyurl.com/2024BYA 〰️Share this post with your friends and family! 〰️Use our Social Media Toolkit to share easily: Tinyurl.com/BYA24GT Let’s make this Giving Tuesday count for Baltimore’s youth. Thanks for all the love and support! 💙 #GivingTuesday #SupportTheArts #BaltimoreYouthArts #YouMakeItHappen
Hey everyone! 🙌 It’s Giving Tuesday—and we need your help! We’re trying to raise $6,000 to support the amazing young artists in our program. Your donation@ helps provide art education, on-the-job training, mentorship, and all the
Hey everyone! 🙌 It’s Giving Tuesday—and we need your help! We’re trying to raise $6,000 to support the amazing young artists in our program. Your donation@ helps provide art education, on-the-job training, mentorship, and all the creative resources these talented youth need to get making art, friendships, changes, and wages! 🎨 But we can’t do it without YOU! Here’s how you can help: 〰️Donate today and make a difference: Tinyurl.com/2024BYA 〰️Share this post with your friends and family! 〰️Use our Social Media Toolkit to share easily: Tinyurl.com/BYA24GT Let’s make this Giving Tuesday count for Baltimore’s youth. Thanks for all the love and support! 💙 #GivingTuesday #SupportTheArts #BaltimoreYouthArts #YouMakeItHappen
Giving Tuesday is just around the corner and your gift can directly support BYA’s Studio Apprentice Program! This year, we’ve set a goal to raise $6,000 by the end of the year and we need your help to make it happen! Here’s where your support goes: $193.77 per week for one Apprentice’s wages, giving them paid, hands-on work experience. $1,937.70 to cover one Apprentice’s wages for an entire 10-week session, supporting their growth in the Studio Apprentice Program. $76.92 per week average for materials and supplies – from paints and brushes to sketchbooks and screenprinting materials. $323.07 per week for BYA Community Studio Rent - a safe, creative space where youth can work, learn, experiment, and grow. $98.08 per week for utilities – keeping the lights on and the space ready for creativity. $62.50 per week for snacks, Apprentices need some extra fuel to be focused during their time with us. Thanks for being part of the BYA family and helping us make a lasting impact on these incredible young people. We can’t do this without you! Donate by screenshotting the QR code or head to the link in our bio! 💕 #baltimore #youthprogram #artist #givingtuesday #artstudio #screenprinting #Art
Interview bloopers #baltimore #youthprogram #artist #artstudio #givingtuesday #givingthanks #
Thank you to everyone who has supported BYA, the arts, artists, youth who have a different way of learning, second chances, and spaces that young people discover themselves. Thank you for your belief and encouragement in us over the years! Art is more than just a creative outlet. It is a powerful tool for transformation. Through art, we inspire young people to change their perspectives and envision new possibilities for themselves and their communities. ​​ We are grateful for every volunteer, funder, partner, and collaborator. We could not do this without you!
Thank you to everyone who has supported BYA, the arts, artists, youth who have a different way of learning, second chances, and spaces that young people discover themselves. Thank you for your belief and encouragement in us over the years! Art is more than just a creative outlet. It is a powerful tool for transformation. Through art, we inspire young people to change their perspectives and envision new possibilities for themselves and their communities. ​​ We are grateful for every volunteer, funder, partner, and collaborator. We could not do this without you!
See you Monday ! #baltimore #youthprogram #artist #artstudio #givingtuesday #givingthanks
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED THIS YEAR! The link will remain open for the rest of the year so feel free to give a gift whenever you can. #baltimore #youthprogram #artstudio #artist #givingtuesday #givingthanks
BYA is the truth and im the Iviing proof. Thank you for listening to my story, and thanks again for making a change with your donations. #GivingTuesday #SupportTheArts #baltimore #artstudio #givingthanks
We could talk all day about the program but let’s hear what the youth and others have to say… #baltimore #artstudio #youthprogram
Hey everyone! 🙌 It’s Giving Tuesday—and we need your help! We’re trying to raise $6,000 to support the amazing young artists in our program. Your donation@ helps provide art education, on-the-job training, mentorship, and all the
Hey everyone! 🙌 It’s Giving Tuesday—and we need your help! We’re trying to raise $6,000 to support the amazing young artists in our program. Your donation@ helps provide art education, on-the-job training, mentorship, and all the
Giving Tuesday is just around the corner and your gift can directly support BYA’s Studio Apprentice Program! This year, we’ve set a goal to raise $6,000 by the end of the year and we need your help to make it happen! Here’s where y
Interview bloopers #baltimore #youthprogram #artist #artstudio #givingtuesday #givingthanks #
Thank you to everyone who has supported BYA, the arts, artists, youth who have a different way of learning, second chances, and spaces that young people discover themselves. Thank you for your belief and encouragement in us over the years! Art is m
Thank you to everyone who has supported BYA, the arts, artists, youth who have a different way of learning, second chances, and spaces that young people discover themselves. Thank you for your belief and encouragement in us over the years! Art is m
See you Monday ! #baltimore #youthprogram #artist #artstudio #givingtuesday #givingthanks