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IN THE press
Meet the 9-year-old cartoonist from Cambridge who’s destined for comics conquest
December 12th 2022
You may not have heard of the comic book “Kellen the Kid.” Yet.
But odds are pretty good that someday you will. It’s one of several comic books and strips created by Kellen Paul, a 9-year-old cartoonist and illustrator who’s been plying his trade at the Community Art Center in his hometown of Cambridge, and whose work has taken the center by storm.
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CAC's very own Kellen is interviewed by Boston.com. Read more!
Community Art Center featured on
NBC10Boston's Hub Today
August 13, 2021
The Hub Today stopped by Community Art Center to learn about our programs and the impact we've had on the Port neighborhood, Cambridge, and beyond.
This piece featured interviews with Executive Director, Erin Muirhead McCarty and recent CAC Alum Greggy Bazile.
wICKED LOCAL: KICK OFF CELEBRATION FOR CENTRAL SQUARE'S STARLIGHT SQUARE
may 17, 2021
For the second season of Cambridge's Starlight Square, the teens from the Public Arts program were able to celebrate with a new mural. The question behind the piece is "What does food justice mean to you?"
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The goal of the space is to be an outdoor performance venue, learning space, and art canvas.
Community Art Center Selected for the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative
october 04, 2018
We are pleased to announce that Community Art Center was selected to participate in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative – as announced yesterday on the Barr Foundation’s blog. A partnership between two Boston-based foundations - Barr and The Klarman Family Foundation – the initiative is a $25 million, six-year investment in 29 arts and cultural organizations from across Massachusetts.
Participating organizations receive flexible, multi-year operating support grants, in addition to training and technical assistance from TDC, a nonprofit consulting and research firm. Community Art Center’s engagement in the initiative begins with two grants totaling $300,000 from Barr and the Klarman Family Foundation over the next three years. This is a ringing endorsement of the Community Art Center’s work and a substantial investment in our potential.
Community Art Center's Home Port Public Art Project one of 89 National Endowment for the Arts Our Town projects selected nationwide
August 04, 2017
The Community Art Center, an 80- year old institution providing creative youth development programming in the Port neighborhood of Cambridge, has been recommended for a grant of $100,000 from The National Endowment for the Arts to support their Home Port Public Art Project. NEA Chairman Jane Chu announced 89 awards totaling $6.89 million supporting projects across the nation through the agency’s Our Town program.
please contact Angie Brutus for press related inquiries
Teens To Work With Artist Marlon Forrester To Design Public Art For Cambridge’s Port Neighborhood
November 3rd 2022
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This fall, teens at Cambridge’s Community Art Center are working with Boston artist Marlon Forrester to design a permanent public artwork for Cambridge’s Port neighborhood.
The $130,000 commission for Forrester's collaborative project, under a partnership of Cambridge Arts and the center, is funded via the City of Cambridge’s Percent-for-Art program as part of the city’s Port Infrastructure Project, which will reduce flooding and make improvements to the neighborhood’s streets, sidewalks, and open spaces. Cambridge Arts is providing additional funds to the Community Art Center to support this project, and participating students will be paid for their creative contributions and work.
8-year-old from Cambridge shares portrait of Michelle Obama, surprised with visit to see official portraits at MFA
October 28th 2022
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CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) - A young girl from Cambridge is showcasing her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama and even got the chance to see the famous Obama portraits at the Museum of Fine Arts, hoping one day her own work will end up in the museum.
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The Cambridge Community Arts Center took eight-year-old Grace Jean to the Museum of Fine Arts Thursday to see the famous of portraits of the Obamas after they had students paint pictures for their gallery “Iconic Black Figures.”
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Comic Kid: Local 9-year-old shows artistic talent at community center, works to inspire others
October 20th 2022
Kellen Paul might only be 9 years old, but the youth has been making his mark by putting pencil to paper, drawing his own comics as he hones his craft and inspires others.
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Sharing his artwork on YouTube and at events hosted by the Community Art Center in Cambridge, Kellen has been receiving encouragement from the center’s staff as he makes his progress on his first ever comic book.
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“We told him, ‘You know what? You can be an artist when you grow up.’ and he proclaimed, ‘What?” program manager Jada Alleyne said.
“That I will!” he said.
Press Release:
Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.9 Million to Improve Facilities for Early Education & Out-of-School Time Programs
August 11th 2022
2022 Healthy Eating and Active Living Mini-Grants Awarded to Cambridge Organizations
June 24th 2022
The Cambridge Public Health Department, through its Cambridge in Motion campaign, has awarded a total of $12,500 in mini-grants to 13 local organizations to develop activities that promote healthy eating and active living.
The Community Arts Center will expand its children's yoga therapy program to include strategies for coping with stress and trauma, including mind-body awareness.
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Community Art Center awarded
$100,000 Cummings grant
June 5th 2022
COMMUNITY ART CENTER is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to
$500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The CAMBRIDGE-based organization was
chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $100,000 over 2 years.
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Community Art Center is elated to have received a grant through Cummings $25 Million Grant Program. The generosity of
this grant will allow Community Art Center to invest in a vehicle to assist in day-to-day operations and will help to offset the
insurance costs tied to transportation of children to and from its programs.
NBC10's The Hub Today cover DIYDS!! Film Festival
May 25th 2022
In preparation for the 25th annual Do It Your Damn Self!! National Youth Film Festival, Teen Media Programs Media Manager, Lionel
Blaise Jr., and CAC alumni Amarah Gonsalves stopped by to visit our friends at NBC10's The Hub Today, to chat about DIYDS!! Film Festival.
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Cambridge community foundation
announces grant recipients
December 13, 2021
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The Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) has recently awarded over
60 community-based non-profits to further help the wellbeing of local families who are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.
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Awards went to non-profits that help address the financial, social, mental, and emotional stresses the neighborhood residents have been going through. Among these non-profits is Community Art Center, where CCF has acknowledged our efforts in providing "vital support services including childcare, education, food, and community development to families who live primarily in public housing."