Programs

Voices of Youth

BARAK, Inc.’s Voices of Youth program uses a unique arts-enhanced delivery in school and summer settings to teach character-building and life skills training to more than 350 youth per year to prevent delinquency and substance abuse. Our Art Teachers use Botvin’s Life Skills and Positive Action materials and assessments, recommended by the U.S. Department of Education and the American Medical Society. These programs provide statistical evidence that participating youth have reduced use of narcotics, tobacco and alcohol, as well as reduced risky behaviors and violence. Our goal of guiding youth to be proactive members of their community has resulted in the installation of more than 40 interior and exterior murals and 60+ artistically modified public trash receptacles distributed throughout Harrisburg.

Support the Voices of Youth Program - Event and Sponsorship Opportunities Guide 2013

NexGen Arts Festival and the Management Team

The NexGen Youth Arts Festival 2012 was the Capitol Region’s first youth-driven event of its kind. The inception of this festival established a brand new exhibition platform for area young people. NexGen premiered October 20th and 21st at Harrisburg Area Community College. Over 220 students exhibited visual artwork from the following school districts: Harrisburg, Central Dauphin, Susquehanna Township and Steelton-Highspire. A sensational schedule of more than 100 performers thrilled an audience of over 1,700 people throughout the weekend.

A critical component of this project was the involvement of 20 high school and college students in the Youth Management Team during the year leading to the event. Many used this opportunity to earn Senior Project and Community Service credit hours. Meetings with the students and advisors covered a wide range of topics from the general setup of the festival and ideas for committees, to specific strategies for the website, marketing of the festival, and ideas for public awareness and student engagement.

“The energy from the young people was mesmerizing! It was very clear that they had ownership over the event. Adults were around, but the young people were clearly the stars!” - Beth

Save the Date for NexGen 2013 on October 19th and 20th at the Zembo Shrine Auditorium!

Become a Sponsor for NexGen 2013 – Event and Sponsorship Opportunities Guide 2013

Community Murals

The BARAK Mural Program is a youth-centered arts education and community revitalization program that uses public art as a vehicle for social change, and brings at-risk youth, schools, neighborhoods, grassroots organizations, local business, government and corporate entities together to conceive, plan and install murals across the Greater Harrisburg region.

Sponsor a Community Mural – Event and Sponsorship Opportunities Guide 2013

Trashcan Transformers

This program encourages students to bring awareness to their community by using their creativity and imagination to paint visually appealing artwork and positive messages on trash bins and recycling containers that are distributed in different neighborhoods. This innovative, environmentally friendly project gives young people, elementary school age through college, an active role in the urban renewal initiative in Harrisburg.

Some examples of our previous artwork in the community:

  • Harrisburg Hospital’s new ER
  • Gallery Blu Art Gallery
  • 60+ Trashcan Transformers – public trash receptacle painting
  • Harrisburg Patriot-News Artsfest
  • The reservoir tanks in Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park
  • Mural donations to multiple schools in the Harrisburg School District
  • Mural donations to community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, etc.
  • Annual Arts in the Garden at the Governor’s Mansion
  • The Youth Advocate Program’s Peace Street
  • The NexGen Youth Arts Festival

Heritage Mural Trail
In 2010 Harrisburg celebrated its 150th Anniversary.  In recognition of this civic milestone BARAK, Inc. launched the Heritage Mural Trail.  More than 200 youth from neighborhoods in and around Harrisburg created historic murals that focused on the diversity, innovation and history that made Harrisburg what it is today.  The Heritage Mural Trail included neighborhoods throughout Uptown, Downtown, South Harrisburg, Shipoke, Alison Hill and Bellvue Park giving visitors a glimpse into the colorful pasts and hopeful futures of these neighborhoods.

“It was fun for me at first, but then our team started really coming together and being involved in the overall project.  We got to know what we were doing and we just work so well together…I love it!  I’d definitely recommend anybody to get involved with this.”  – Ben M.

For more program information, please contact Melanie Wise, Program Manager at (717) 695-9466 or melanie@barakarts.org