Celebrating 75 Years of

Creativity and Community

Arts for Learning Maryland 75th Anniversary icon

Dear A4L Community,

75 years ago, founder Nina Collier ignited a spark with a question: “Why can’t we bring professional musicians into our schools to introduce children to the joy of classical music?”

Her answer: The “Young Musicians’ Series”–live chamber concerts performed by professional musicians in Baltimore schools. This idea marked the beginning of Young Audiences of Maryland–what is now Arts for Learning Maryland.

Today, Arts for Learning envisions a Maryland where the arts are valued for their capacity to transform lives.

We pair artists–musicians, actors, poets, visual artists, and dancers–with educators to create dynamic experiences for children in their classrooms. Students participate and perform, create and compose, explore, and engage in academic subjects through a particular art form in a practice called arts integration. They find their unique voices through the arts, in community with one another. Decades of research have shown the transformational power arts-integrated learning has on academic achievement and supporting authentic social and emotional growth, principals and school district leaders see these results.

This year, we release our

10-Year strategic plan, built on four strategic priorities:

1. Expand student access to the arts

Strengthen our relationships with Maryland school districts–particularly those with the highest student need–and prepare more professionals to implement culturally affirming, arts-integrated, educational experiences for students.

2. Advance equitable outcomes

Intentionally create classrooms of belonging where every young person, especially Black and brown students, feels loved, valued, affirmed, and included.

3. Innovate and implement

Continue intentionally seeking new ways to address gaps in educational systems and infuse these spaces with transformational opportunities.

4. Elevate the role of the artist in education

Amplify artists as catalysts of innovation, essential in the education of children. Create professional development and career opportunities to attract and retain artists to the field of teaching artistry.

2. Advance equitable outcomes

Intentionally create classrooms of belonging where every young person, especially Black and brown students, feels loved, valued, affirmed, and included.

1. Expand student access to the arts

Strengthen our relationships with Maryland school districts–particularly those with the highest student need–and prepare more professionals to implement culturally affirming, arts-integrated, educational experiences for students.

4. Elevate the role of the artist in education

Amplify artists as catalysts of innovation, essential in the education of children. Create professional development and career opportunities to attract and retain artists to the field of teaching artistry.

3. Innovate and implement

Continue intentionally seeking new ways to address gaps in educational systems and infuse these spaces with transformational opportunities.

Our mission and impact remain the same today as they did in 1950: we believe unwaveringly that by connecting educators, professional artists, and communities, we can transform the lives and education of our youth.

We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us by sharing your favorite A4L memories on social media using the hashtag #75YearsOfA4L.

Consider a gift of $75 to celebrate 75 years of Arts for Learning.

Additionally, look out for some exciting events coming up later this year and take a journey through the last 75 years in the timeline below.

Here’s to another 75 Years!

Stacie Evans

From 1950 to today…

75 Years of Arts for Learning

1950

Young Musicians Series, Inc. Founded by Nina Collier

1950

Initially named “Young Musicians Series,” Young Audiences evolved out of Nina Collier’s concern that young people were completing school and living their lives without ever having heard a live performance by a professional musician.

World-renown violinist Yehudi Menuhin provided the inspiration for the series. Rehearsing for a concert in Mrs. Collier’s living room for a group of children, Mr. Menuhin conversed and interacted with the children. Their enthusiastic response caused Mrs. Collier to perceive the value of this experience and began replicating it for other children.

1951

A Defender of Youth is Scoring with Bach

1951

1952

Young Audiences, Inc.

1952

In New York City, Mrs. Edgar Leventritt and Mrs. Lionello Perera (Mrs. Collier’s mother) immediately saw the possibilities in Mr. Menuhin’s experience. It confirmed that direct contact with the best professional artists could awaken and stimulate a strong sense of beauty and creativity in children. Both women also recognized the urgent need to give the best artists of the day employment. By bringing artists together with children in an educational setting, both could be enriched.

In 1952, Mrs. Leventritt and Mrs. Perera began the chamber music program in New York City. Through a grant from the Leventritt Foundation, they incorporated Young Audiences, assembled the first board of directors and hired the first executive director. 

1953

49 Baltimore Students Submit Impressions of Concerts

1953

“This year, the Young Musicians Series has sponsored 53 concerts in schools of this city—a gain of 21 programs over the previous year.”

1955

50 Concerts Presented in Baltimore City Schools

1955

1960

90 Programs Presented in Baltimore City Schools

1960

1961

Essay Contest: Name Change!

1961

Schoolchildren weighed in on whether the Young Musicians Series should change its name to Young Audiences through an essay contest! The renaming of the Maryland affiliate would conform with that of the national organization.

1963

Young Audiences of Maryland

1963

With a new name, Young Audiences of Maryland expands its repertoire beyond classical music to include a variety of genres, as well as dance and theater troupes.

1966

Jazz Goes to School

1966

1968

Baltimore Young Audiences, Inc.

1968

Young Audiences of Maryland is incorporated as Baltimore Young Audiences, Inc.

“The cultural enrichment program of the Baltimore City Public Schools is dependent to a large degree on the services provided by Young Audiences, Inc.

We in the schools, value the high quality of performance which is constantly exhibited by the various performing groups under the auspices of Young Audiences.”

— Dr. J. Marion Magill, Director of the Division of Music in the Baltimore City Public Schools, May 5, 1968

1970

Young Audiences, Inc. to Present Special Concerts during Special Week

1970

The Mayor of Baltimore proclaimed “Young Audiences Week” as the organization celebrated its first 20 years, presenting free street concerts throughout the city.

1971

National Young Audiences Week

1971

1971

Salzburg Puppets to Perform

1971

1972

First Executive Director Hired

1972

1973

The Dance Theater of Harlem

1973

In 1973, the organization received a grant from Morris Mechanic Theater through WBAL-FM and the Dance Theater of Harlem came to Baltimore for a one-week Young Audiences residency.

1975

Awarded First Grant from Baltimore City

1975

1976

Expanded Programming to Six Maryland Counties.

1976

Young Audiences received its first grant from Baltimore County Commission on the Arts and Sciences.

Programming expanded to parts of Maryland outside of Baltimore City including Wicomico, Harford, Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Frederick counties where 290 programs were presented.

1978

Ella Fitzgerald at the Lyric

1978

In 1978 Ella Fitzgerald performed a benefit concert for Young Audiences of Maryland with the Billy Taylor Trio at the Lyric Theatre!


1980

Artist Roster Expanded to Include Visual Artists!

1980

1981

Young Audiences Programs Reach 16 Counties and Baltimore City

1981

1982

First Maryland State Arts Council Artists-in-Education Grant Received.

1982

Young Audiences programs reached 18 counties and Baltimore City.

1983

Young Audiences of Maryland, Inc.

1983

Baltimore Young Audiences changed its name to Young Audiences of Maryland, Inc. to reflect its statewide constituency. 702 programs were presented in 19 counties and Baltimore City.

1985

First Computers

1985

Young Audiences of Maryland, Inc. became the 5th largest Young Audiences chapter in the nation and celebrated its 35th anniversary with entertainment and an art auction!

The organization raised enough money to purchase computer equipment, permitting automation of scheduling and other office processes.

1985

Statewide Reach

1985

Programs reached every Maryland county and Baltimore City for the first time in 1985 with 1,060 programs presented!

1994

927 N. Calvert Street

1994

In 1994, Young Audiences received its largest giftthe building that housed its offices at 927 North Calvert Street.

The building, which was built almost 160 years ago, is a four-story brick row house in the historic Mt. Vernon section of Baltimore City. Donated by Sherrie Ehrman, an employee and volunteer with Young Audiences of Maryland for 17 years, the building was in need of serious renovation and repair.

1994

Received the National Medal of Arts

1994

Young Audiences of Maryland joined the national Young Audiences network at the White House to receive the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton.

The organization was the only arts group to receive the honor this year—and the recognition solidified Young Audiences’ role as the premier arts-in-education organization in the country.

1994

Arts Medal Goes to Young Audiences

1994

1996

A Capital Campaign Increased Visibility

1996

In 1996, YAMD began a capital campaign. Contributions included an emergency bond from Baltimore City for funds to stabilize the facade of 927 North Calvert Street. Additional donations from foundations, corporations, individuals, and the award of a $150,000 State Bond Bill greatly increased political awareness of Young Audiences and its educational services. At the time, approximately $200,000 was still needed to complete the renovations.

2004

New Executive Director Hired

2004

Stacie Sanders Evans is hired to serve as Young Audiences of Maryland’s second executive director in November 2004. 

2006

Young Audiences/Arts for Learning

2006

2006

Teaching Artist Institute

2006

A unique partnership between Young Audiences, the Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance (AEMS), and the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) was built in the creation of the Teaching Artist Institute (TAI). The program expertly pairs classroom teachers with teaching artists and builds the artists’ capacity to contribute to student learning in and through the arts. 

2008

Access for All

2008

Young Audiences launched Access for All to create equitable access to the arts for Baltimore City Public School students, providing schools with deeply discounted programs.

2009

Miller’s Court

2009

Now operating with 10 employees, Young Audiences sold 927 North Calvert Street and moved into Miller’s Court in the Remington neighborhood of Baltimore City.

2010

Rural Access for All

2010

2012

Maryland Wolf Trap

2012

After piloting residencies for 3-5-year-olds in Baltimore City, Young Audiences launched its early learning initiative, becoming the Maryland Wolf Trap affiliate.

2012

SMART Program

2012

Young Audiences partnered with Harford County Public Schools to develop its first-ever district partnership that provides professional development to every Title-1 school to improve academic performance through the arts—the first partnership of its kind in the nation.

Through the SMART embedded professional development program, teachers learned to distinguish between arts-integrated teaching and engagement through the arts, how to integrate the arts into their daily lessons to accelerate the academic achievement of all students, and how to collaboratively plan, teach, and reflect on a lesson with a professional teaching artist.

2013

Budget Hits $2.5M

2013

2015

Summer Arts Academy

2015

2015

Race Equity Work Begins

2015

Young Audiences of Maryland’s executive director and grants manager, plus a board member and artist participate in a seven-month DEI training program.

A trio of black and white photos of staff working together at round tables and writing on post-it notes is pasted onto geometrically cut floral and patterned papers.

2016

Summer Arts & Learning Academy (SALA)

2016

2017

Bloomberg Arts Internship

2017

2018

Budget Hits $6M

2018

2018

Two Resident Teaching Artists Are Hired

2018

Two black and white images are stacked one on top of the other in this collage. The top shows students and Katherine Dilworth standing around quilt blocks arranged on a table. The bottom image shows Valerie branch blowing bubbles with a large wand as young children reach out for them. The photos are layered on golden yellow paper with a red and gold folk-inspired ribbon lining one side.Katherine Dilworth and Valerie Branch are hired as resident teaching artists–a brand new role created within the organization. Both Katherine and Valerie are highly skilled in teaching artistry and have been delivering arts-integrated instruction and teacher professional development with Young Audiences for years.

In addition to continuing their work in the schools as teaching artists, they will also serve in an expanded capacity by consulting with school districts and partners on arts integration strategies and practice, leading professional development, and mentoring other teaching artists.

2018

Summer Artist Corps

2018

Puurple stars surround Kristina Berdan and teaching artist Valerie Branch. Kristina's arms are spread wide and Valerie stands at a white board. The text in the collage reads, "2018 - Summer Artist Corps launched to recruit and train artists to work in Summer Arts for Learning Academy."Summer Artist Corps is launched to recruit and train artists to work in Summer Arts for Learning Academy.

“This program has been exactly what I needed to restore my energy as an artist. THANK YOU!!!”

2019

Baby ArtsPlay!™ Starts

2019

The adoption of Baby ArtsPlay!™ marks the organization’s expansion into the infant + toddler space.

Two young children peering through imaginary binoculars are surrounded by glittery buttons and swirls.

2019

SALA Data Shows Large Academic Gains in Students

2019

Research from Baltimore City Public Schools and evaluation firm WolfBrown showed that the infusion of the arts into traditional learning content transformed the classroom experience, resulting in academic gains for SALA students. Baltimore City Public Schools analyzes student performance on the i-Ready math assessment, taken at the end and beginning of each school year to gauge summer learning loss. Results showed that SALA attendees had significantly less summer learning loss in i-Ready math compared to BCPSS students who did not attend the program. The district evaluation also highlighted YA as the most cost-efficient elementary program with the highest rates of enrollment and attendance.

2020

Arts & Learning Kids

2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic sent the world into isolation and left families & school districts scrambling to support students with virtual learning content and resources, Young Audiences saw a way to help and jumped into action. Working together, our innovative and talented teaching artists created 50 (50!) original episodes of “Arts & Learning Kids”–a series featuring arts-integrated content for students of all ages. This provided teachers and parents with reliable, substantial, high-quality content for students (FREE when it was streamed live) and created a paid work opportunity for our contracted artists while in-person residencies, assemblies, and workshops were put on hold.

A black and white still photograph of performers looking into the camera on the set of Arts & Learning Kids is collaged within layers of reds, whites, golds, and greens. Text reads, "2020 - Arts & Learning Kids: Curriculum-based TV Show To Support Baltimore Students' Remote Learning.

2020

Superheroes Unite!

2020

A teaching artist emergency fund is created to help offset the loss of income because of school shutdowns and a nationwide switch to remote learning. An evening of virtual performances–featuring dancers, beatboxers, drummers, storytellers, and more–called Superheroes Unite! is broadcast to benefit Young Audiences of Maryland Artists. This is Young Audiences’ first virtual fundraiser.

Royal purple paper patterned with golden stars plus red and pink patterned brush strokes form the backdrop for a black and white image of Jamaal "Mr. Root" Collier and Femi the Drifish. The word "artists" is stitched in bright orange along the side of the photo. The collage is decorated with lightning bolts, buttons, and a paper heart.

2020

Arts & Learning Snacks

2020

Young Audiences and community partners hand out project-based arts kits called Arts & Learning Snacks at meal sites across Baltimore City. The take-home art kits–designed by YA teaching artists–include all the supplies needed for children and caregivers to take a break from the screen for hands-on creating and learning.

A child peeks through the jaws of a cardboard monster in the center of this collage. Stripes of rich purples cross jewel-toned patterns and glitter.

2020

After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA)

2020

Bright buttons of varying sizes frame portraits of young students. Two look into the camera and flash peace signs. Another two are pictured mid-performance in an acting class, their hands outstretched as if blasting invisible powers.

2020

NSLA 2020 New York Life Excellence in Summer Learning Award

2020
2021

Blacktastic! A Virtual Celebration of Maryland Black History & Culture Begins

2021

Five artists and ensembles are cut out in circles and placed among a riot of ribbon and  layers of patterned papers. Text beneath the collage reads, "2021: Blacktastic: A virtual festival of Maryland Black History and Culture begins."

2021

Principal Fellowship Launches

2021
2021

Young Audiences Arts for Learning Maryland Changes Name to Arts for Learning Maryland

2021

Polka-dotted paper and star bursts with googly eyes are the backdrop for Arts for Learning's new logo–a kaleidoscope of cyan, yellow and magenta.

We decided our name needs to reflect the evolution of our work. In multiple creative brainstorming workshops beginning in 2019, board members, staff, artists, educators, students, donors, and community and education leaders convened and identifiedand often reaffirmedour universal truths: The arts transform lives. Integrating the arts with academic learning produces powerful results.

Throughout this process, it became clear that the words that best describe us were already with us. They are “arts for learning.”

2021

Bloomberg Arts Internship Is Extended into the School Year

2021

Layers of black, white, gold, and red surround a black and white photo of a teenager wearing headphones and glasses taped at the hinge. The teen is using a riveting hammer and focused intently on their metalwork.

2022

Move into Odell’s

2022

Our move from Howard Street to Odell’s–the historic nightclub on North Avenue known for bringing Baltimoreans together time and time again to share in the joy of living creatively–means more space for classrooms and community engagement and for our growing organization to work and dream together under one roof. For decades, Young Audiences has been welcomed into school and community buildings across the state. Now, for the first time in our 70-year history, students and their families and caregivers can come to our new home and explore their creativity, express themselves, and discover the arts’ power to enhance learning, to enrich communities, and to change lives.

A collage with black and white images of scenes from Odell's nightclub: One, a sign with the name of the club above the words, "you'll know if you belong" flanked by palm trees. The other, a couple dressed in white on the dance floor, moving to the music in twinkling lights. The images are collaged with starburts made of string and green and golden papers decorated with blue cut-outs.

“Thank you to Code in the Schools and Young Audiences for keeping up the tradition of Odell’s… You’ll know when you’ll belong was the saying at Odell’s, and what Young Audiences and Code in the Schools are doing here is telling our young people that they belong. We know the arts are a vital tool in allowing our young people to imagine and envision a future for themselves and their community… We need to allow our young people to dream about what they want Baltimore to be for them. This is how we inspire the beautiful minds of our young people.”

–Mayor Brandon Scott

2022

$3.9 Million Grant from the U.S. Department of Education Received

2022
2022

Northeast Baltimore Community Center to Reopen as Arts for Learning at Goodnow

2022

A handmade collage with bright blues and purples. At the center is a black and white photo of a class of children and teachers standing at the front of the Arts for Learning at Goodnow building. A line of text reads: 2022– Northeast Baltimore Community Center to Reopen as Arts for Learning at Goodnow

2023

Month of the Young Child

2023
2023

Arts for Learning Is a Community Schools Lead Agency

2023

Arts for Learning Maryland is named the Community Schools Lead Agency for three Baltimore City Public Schools: Mount Royal Elementary Middle in Bolton Hill, Hazelwood Elementary Middle in Northeast Baltimore, and Green Street Academy in West Baltimore

2024

Four Resident Teaching Artists Join Arts for Learning Maryland

2024

Tracie Jiggetts, Cristii Rodriguez, Mikela Thrasher, and Caroline Ferrante join the staff of Arts for Learning Maryland as full-time teaching artists.

2024

U.S. Department of Education Honors A4L with the Engage Every Student Award

2024
2024

Stacie Sanders Evans’s 20th Anniversary

2024

Two black and white photographs are at the center of a multicolored collage–a photo of a woman holding a bouquet of balloons standing next to a man in a suit is layered over another of the Patterson Theatre marquee. The letters spell out, "Congrats Stacie!"

2025

Staff Grows to 60 Employees

2025

A black and white group photo of A4L staff and teaching artists is collaged onto layers of papers with concentric circles in gold, velvety swirls, and dot patterns. Hand-written text reads, "The big 6-0!" and typed text reads "2025 - Staff grows to 59." The number 59 is crossed out in red with the number 60 written next to it.

75th Anniversary of Arts for Learning

2025

Arts for Learning Maryland 75th Anniversary logo FI

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A group of colorful handmade and hand decorated box guitars lean against a blue background.