Description: In the late 1980’s, KidsArts! Multicultural Afterschool Program was born in the old firehouse now home to JP Licks. For many years, the building was occupied by a vibrant community center devoted to the arts – the JP Multicultural Arts Center, a creation of the Jamaica Plain Arts Council (which now runs JP Open Studios). The Arts Center was also known as the “FirehouseArts Center”. The old firehouse bustled with ballet dancers, samba drummers, photographers, jazz musicians, and….kids! The Center was a multi-generational, open-door beehive of creativity – and it recognized that cuts in public art education mandated a grassroots after school arts program for JP’s children.
When the Center closed its doors in 1993, KidsArts! found a new home in the First Unitarian Church where it still lives to this day. Many generations of children, staff and directors have helped build a long-standing KidsArts! community. Scores of children have made monster masks, danced Capoeira, shot music videos, crafted shadow puppets, discussed social justice, and cooked empanadas (among other activities) – delving into deeply creative thinking that is increasingly marginalized in school. Staff and children have developed countless personal relationships that recognize the unique creative powers of each child. Over the years, hundreds of families have enjoyed the riches of a program that was ignited by the artists/activists of the old firehouse.
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