Youth Art Institute
The James E. Lewis Museum of Art (JELMA), located on the campus of Morgan State University educates and develops future citizens who will contribute to society as scholars, artists, and educators--all under the umbrella of an increasingly growing minority and diverse higher education community. JELMA focuses on serving the academic and cultural needs of both Morgan's community and expanding audiences. More importantly, the largest growing audience are the children of our community, especially those students from the urban schools in Baltimore, who have no or limited access to fine arts education.
The Youth Art Institute (YAI) Summer Program uses the collection of the James E. Lewis Museum of Art as a key educational resource for intensive visual and performing art activities as well as provide students opportunities to expand their education in the fine arts beyond the normal school year. Most of the elementary schools attended by YAI students are neighborhood, schools to help children meet state standards in core academic subjects.
As Arts Education is increasingly noted as an integral and crucial component to the educational development of school aged children, JELMA and YAI seek to improve the rate of quality academic and social achievement of Baltimore City and (County) Public School students, as well as provide students opportunities to expand their education in the arts. Students take advantage of engaging and communicating through a variety of artistic encounters. They also translate cultural and theatrical points of view from the studio to the stage that will directly impact their academic skills later in the school year.
We take pride in cultivating skills in the arts for our community of children. Arts education engages students through many styles of learning. Creating, playing and sharing together, the Youth Art Institute becomes part of a student’s development into a healthy, productive and well-rounded learner.
