Lyricism 101

Ages 13-18| Free with membership | All Locations

Lyricism 101 is a program that intentionally includes proven youth development practices and creative activities that build and expand the literary skills of our teens, while exposing them to the art of hip hop, particularly cipher culture. 

• Through the lens of hip-hop, particularly ciphers, teens will be able to:

• Engage in programming and events that build self-esteem

• Have a medium to express thoughts, passions and ideas

• Build skills in literacy, musical collaboration, performance and rhyme creation

• Receive coaching from renowned and respected artists

Media Making

All Ages | Free with membership | All Locations

Media Making teaches creative expression by engaging members in experiencing, creating, sharing and editing digital media. The project-based activities introduce members to photography, audio production, video production, and design. Envisioning and developing projects gives members the opportunity to hone their creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills. 

National Fine Arts Exhibit

All Ages | Free with membership | All Locations

This year-round program encourages artistic expression among Club members ages 6-18 through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sculpture while providing opportunities for members to create artwork for display in a local exhibit. Up to 37 pieces of art (one piece per age group/category and one for the Group Project category) are selected from a Club’s local exhibit and sent to one of seven regional judging events and exhibits. At each regional judging, 37 pieces of artwork are chosen and sent to BGCA National Headquarters for judging and selection for the National Fine Arts Exhibit. The artworks are displayed throughout the ensuing year at BGCA events, including the National Conference.

DramaMatters

All Ages | Free with membership | All Locations

DramaMatters Afterschool is a drama education program for Clubs that encourages members ages 6 to 18 to engage in hands-on activities. Drama education builds self-confidence, sparks creativity and boosts academic achievement. The DramaMatters Afterschool Program Guide is a weekly program consisting of 60 minute sessions segmented for beginner, intermediate and advanced members. Each session can be adapted to fit the age of participants as well. Sessions consist of a short warm-up; a main activity of games, script work or performance; and a 10-minute cool-down. The Lessons in Stagecraft Program Guide includes many different ways for members to express themselves creatively, from costumes to set design to directing.

Image Makers

All Ages | Free with membership | All Locations

This year-round program encourages Club members ages 6 to 18 to learn and practice black-and-white, color, digital and alternative process photography. The ImageMakers National Photography Program Resource Guide is full of fun, creative activity ideas for three skill levels, contains a brief, user-friendly guide for advisors and details information about the annual photography contest that provides local, regional and national recognition. Club members’ photographs selected at the contest’s national level are exhibited at BGCA’s National Conference and other events. Each winning artist’s work is featured in a virtual gallery on the ImageMakers website. The site also features resources, tools and fun, interactive activities designed to enhance Club members’ experience with photography.

Digital Arts Festival

All Ages | Free with membership |All Locations

Club Tech’s self-directed Digital Arts Suite courseware consists of Web Tech, Design Tech, Photo Tech and Music Tech. Movie Tech contains detailed instructor materials for teaching members to write screenplays and facilitating the hands-on process of filming and editing digital movies. Once Club members have participated in these programs, they can submit their digital artwork to the annual Club Tech Digital Arts Festivals competitions. The festivals celebrate Club members’ creativity in five areas—web design, graphic design, photo illustration, music composition and movie making—and provide Club members with recognition at the local, regional and national levels. Microsoft Corporation and Best Buy Children's Foundation sponsor the Digital Arts Festivals as part of the Club Tech initiative.