Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth

Media Kit.

N Age Public Relations | Langston Thomas, Elitsa Yaneva, Ricky Rath

 Media
Backgrounder.

Overview:
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth is a nonprofit academy that offers performing and
visual arts education for youth ages 5-17. Established in 2005 as a childrens choir,
BAAY operated for profit for seven years till they made the transition to nonprofit in
April of 2012. In 2016 their founder and executive director David Post stepped down
and Ian Bivins was appointed executive director. BAAY employs three administrative
staff and 14 instructors, as well as local artists through their EduArts division. BAAYs
vision is to give every child access to arts programs and their central mission is to enrich
the lives of children through the exploration of the arts. They are located at 1059 N State
Street in Bellingham, WA.

Social Media Links:

www.facebook.com/bellinghamBAAY
www.twitter.com/baayrocks
www.instagram.com/baayrocks
www.youtube.com/channel/UCsp1qO3zGPpHH2634KS6YQQ

Current Activities:
BAAY provides art classes including theatre, improv, visual arts, fiber arts, choir, music,
guitar, creative dance, swing dance, costume design and more on location and through
their EduArts division in over 10 elementary schools throughout Whatcom County.
BAAY puts on multiple theatre, dance and choir productions every year and is currently
open for registration for winter/spring. Their productions of East of the Sun and West
of the Moon and Godspell will premiere in March and auditioning for their future
productions of the musicals School of Rock and Cats is currently open. On June 1,
2016, David Post stepped down as executive director and Ian Bivins took his place. With
a new director came changes to the organization as Bivins began to run things
differently. He is committed to expanding BAAY and reaching out to more children to
teach them life skills in a creative environment. Bivins is currently trying to get their
community more involved in the organization because nonprofits need the help and
support of others to run at their fullest potential.

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Key Terms:
Socioeconomic status (SES) an economic and sociological combined total measure of a
persons work experience and of an individuals or familys economic and social position
in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation.
Students who ranked in the bottom quarter of SES levels for a given database
were deemed low-SES students. (Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson
2012)

Facts:

Art Education
Eighth graders who had high levels of arts engagement from kindergarten
through elementary school showed higher test scores in science and writing than
did students who had lower levels of arts engagement over the same period.
(Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson 2012, 12)
Students who had arts-rich experiences in high school were more likely than
students without those experiences to complete a calculus course. Also, students
who took arts courses in high school achieved a slightly higher GPA in math than
did other students. (Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson 2012, 13)
Better GPAs were also observed among high-SES students who had earned arts
credits in high school: 3.17, on average, compared with 2.97 for the high-SES
students who had earned few or no arts (Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-
Thompson 2012, 13)
High school students who earned few or no arts credits were five times more
likely not to have graduated than students who earned many arts credits.
(Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson 2012, 14)
Arts-engaged high school students enrolled in competitive collegesand in four-
year colleges in generalat higher rates than did low arts-engaged students.
(Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson 2012, 15)
Students who had intensive arts experiences in high school were three times
more likely than students who lacked those experiences to earn a Bachelor's
Degree. (Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson 2012, 16)
Both eighth grade and high school students who had high levels of arts
engagement were more likely to aspire to college than were students with less
arts engagement (Catterall, Dumais & Hampden-Thompson 2012)
Students in the arts learn academic skills that help them in college and beyond.
(META)

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 Such as:
o Analysis
o Problem solving
o Reasoning
o Abstract thinking
o Conceptualization
o Creative thinking
Students involved in drama performance coursework or experience outscored
non-arts students on the 2005 SAT by an average of 65 points in the verbal
component and 34 points in the math component. (Admin)

Washington State Arts Education Statistics

42 percent of principals say statewide testing gets in the way of meeting arts
learning goals. (AERI 2009, 4)
33 percent of elementary students are getting an average of less than one hour of
arts instruction per week. (AERI 2009, 4)
47 percent of schools offer instruction in only one of the four primary arts
disciplines (most often music). (AERI 2009, 4)
Only 8 percent of elementary schools and 4 percent of secondary schools provide
formal arts instruction in all four arts disciplines. (AERI 2009, 4)
63 percent of principals are dissatisfied with the quantity of arts education in
their schools. (AERI 2009, 4)
9 percent of schools are offering no formal arts instruction at all. (AERI 2009, 4)
High-arts, low-SES college students had the highest rates of choosing a major
that aligns with a professional career, such as accounting, education, nursing, or
social sciences (30 percent), compared to low-arts, low-SES students (14 percent)
and the overall SES sample (22 percent). (Gifford 2012)
Half of all low-SES adults with arts-rich backgrounds expected to work in a
professional career (such as law, medicine, education, or management),
compared to only 21 percent of low-arts, low-SES young adults. (Gifford 2012)

Arts Building Community

Studies have also shown that youth who participate in the performing arts form
stronger ties with the community and more often, tend to return and/or settle
within the community and perform community service as adults. (META)
High-arts, low-SES eighth graders were more likely to read a newspaper at least
once a week (73 percent) compared to low-arts, low-SES students (44 percent)
and the overall SES sample (66 percent). (Gifford 2012)

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 High-arts, low-SES young adults reported higher volunteer rates (47 percent)
than the overall sample and low-arts, low-SES young adults (43 and 26 percent
respectively). (Gifford 2012)
High-arts, low-SES young adults voted in the 2004 national election at a rate of
45 percent, compared to 31 percent of low-arts, low-SES young adults. (Gifford
2012)

Arts Boosting Childhood Development

Children gain new positive traits through the expression of theatre. (META)
Confidence
Self Esteem
Self-Discipline
The ability organize and prioritize
Self-Reliance
Poise
The ability to converse with adults
Education in the arts, teaches the basic skills that are also a part of sports
(META)
Teamwork
Responsibility
Collaboration
Leadership
And some interpersonal skills that are not necessarily a part of the sports scene:
Empathy
Compassion

Funding for Art & Education

When adjusting for inflation, total public funding for the arts has decreased by 15
percent over the last 20 years. (Stubbs and Clapp 2015)
While state and local art funds are slowly increasing again in the wake of the
Great Recession. Combined public funding sources remain below pre-recession
levels measured in 2008. (Stubbs and Clapp 2015)
Revenue sources of Not-for-Profit Performing arts Groups and Arts
Organizations in the U.S. are as follows:

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Short Bios:

Ian Bivins ~ Executive Director

ian@BAAY.org | (360) 306-8531
Started at BAAY in 2016
--
Spent the majority of his career working
professionally at theatres in Minneapolis, New York
and Bellingham.
--
Believes that arts are not a luxury, but something that
are an essential part of human development.

Damian Cade ~ Operations Manager

officemanager@baay.org | (360) 306-8531
Started at BAAY in 2012
--
Minored in Dance in College
Decided after college that he wanted to be involved in
organizations that impacted children and offered
performing arts which led him to BAAY.

Boilerplate:
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) is a nonprofit founded in 2005 by David
Post. BAAY is a youth arts academy that teaches theatre, costuming, choir, fibre arts,
visual arts and guitar to children ages 5-17. BAAY also operates as a preschool and
conducts an EduArts program committed to helping all schools provide affordable arts
education to their students. Current operations manager is Damian Cade. Current
Executive Director is Ian Bivins. baay.org

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Sources:

Admin, MemberClicks. "The Effects of Theatre Education." Benefits of Theatre Ed.

Accessed January 18, 2017. www.aate.com/benefits-of-theatre-ed

"Arts in Education." Arts in Education : ArtsWA. Accessed January 18, 2017.

www.arts.wa.gov/arts-in-education

"Benefits of Theatre Arts." META. Accessed January 18, 2017.

www.metaperformingarts.org/benefits-of-theatre-arts.html

Benefits of Arts Education for At-Risk Youth | NEA. March 30, 2012.
www.arts.gov/news/2012/new-nea-research-report-shows-potential-benefits-
arts-education-risk-youth

Catterall, James S., Susan A. Dumais, and Gillian Hampden-Thompson. The Arts and
Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies. Report
no. 55. Office of Research & Analysis, National Endowment for the Arts. March
2012. Accessed January 17, 2017. www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Arts-At-Risk-
Youth.pdf

Emma, Linda. "Budget Cuts to Art Programs in Schools." Education - Seattle PI.
education.seattlepi.com/budget-cuts-art-programs-schools-1558.html

Gifford, Sally. "National Endowment for the Arts." New NEA Research Report Shows
Potential. Benefits of Arts Education for At-Risk Youth | NEA. March 30, 2012.
www.arts.gov/news/2012/new-nea-research-report-shows-potential-benefits-
arts-education-risk-youth

K12 Arts Education Every Student Every School Every Year. Report. The Arts
Education Research Initiative (AERI), Washington State Arts Commision. 2009.
Accessed January 17, 2017. www.arts.wa.gov/media/dynamic/docs/Booklet-
Arts-Education-Research-Initiative.pdf

Stubbs, Ryan, and Henry Clapp. "Public Funding for the Arts: 2015 Update."
Grantmakers in the Arts. Fall 2015. Accessed January 17, 2017.
www.giarts.org/article/public-funding-arts-2015-update

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 Top 10 FAQs.
1. What is BAAY?
BAAY is a nonprofit arts academy for Bellingham youth (hence the name). BAAY
provides youth with an outlet for expression in the form of performing and visual
arts education for young people. BAAYs programs include training in musical
theatre, choir, dance, improv and visual arts. BAAY also operates as a preschool,
offering a unique early learning opportunity to develop cognitive, emotional,
social and multi-sensory skills in an environment rich in the arts.

2. What is EduArts?
EduArts is a division of Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth. It is a program
committed to helping all schools provide affordable arts education to their
students. EduArts currently provides K-8 art classes, taught by local artists, once
a week in over 10 elementary schools throughout Whatcom County. For more
information about EduArts - baay.org/documents/eduarts-class-catalog.pdf.

3. Are the services that BAAY offer important?

Very much so! Theatre allows youth to test their edges and make mistakes. To
create an area where you can make these mistakes in public and learn from them
is highly important! National research shows that involvement in the arts has an
immediate, positive impact on studentselevating academic performance,
deterring delinquency, and raising graduation rates. Total public funding for arts
education has decreased by 15 percent over the last 20 years, because of this,
BAAY provides education for youth interested in art that is either no longer
available or of sufficient quality in many public schools.

4. How old does my child need to be to enroll?

BAAY offers performing and visual arts education for children as young as 5! We
work with multiple age groups at a time:
Pixies: 5-8 years old
Mini Pixies: 5-6 years old
Mega Pixies: 7-8 years old
Juniors: 9-12 years old
Seniors: 13-17 years old

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 5. How much does a program cost?
BAAY EduArts classes cost $6/hour per student. Campus programs however are
all unique and all have different prices ranging from $100 to $500. EduArts is
proud to offer both partial and full scholarships to students in need. BAAY has a
philosophy that any child with the desire to express themselves through art
should have the means to do so. For more information, contact BAAYs main
office at (360) 306-8531.

6. How can I get involved?

BAAY is always looking for more volunteers! We rely on individuals to give us a
helping hand with every production that we put on. Volunteering could include
everything from set painting to wardrobe and preparing us for the big day. Youth
and parents of youth hoping to enroll can find a list of programs currently open
for registration here - baay.org/campus/registration. Those interested in learning
about volunteer opportunities may contact our Operations Manager Damian
Cade by email at officemanager@baay.org or by phone at (360) 306-8531.

7. Who runs the organization?

Stop by and say hello to our current Executive Director Ian Bivins! He spent the
majority of his adult life in theatre and his passion led him to BAAY where he was
attracted to their mission of enriching the lives of children through art.

8. How do I donate?
Donations are always welcomed and are very helpful to us as a nonprofit.
Donations can be made online at baay.org/campus/donate or over the phone by
calling (360) 306-8531.

9. Where does my donation go?

Donations go directly to BAAY and our efforts to better our services. We use all
donations to pay for materials and expenses related to running a nonprofit. Our
organization wouldnt be possible if it werent for your help!

10. Where is BAAY located?

BAAY is located at 1059 N State St. Bellingham, WA 98225. On the corner of
State & E Maple. Just follow the sounds of laughter and the rhythmic tapping of
dancing feet!

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Logo:

Potential Taglines:

BAAY, Where the Art Kids Play.

BAAY, An Early Start in the Arts.
A Kid Without Art is a Kid Without Heart.

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Potential Feature Story Ideas:

Director Profile A feature story on the director would be an interesting angle

because Ian Bivins has a long history of theatre. He only recently started working
for BAAY but already has a vision of how to improve the organization and he has
a real passion for his work. I believe the arts are not a luxury, but something that
is simply fundamental to the human experience, said Bivins. Bivins received a
B.A. in Theater Arts from Western Washington University in 2002 and has been
a frequent collaborator with local companies such as iDiOM Theater, Northwest
Passage Theater Lab, and Kuntz and Company. Bivins also holds a Professional
Certification from Margolis Brown Adaptors Company, an internationally
recognized theater education company based in Highland, New York. Bivins has
taught classes and directed shows during his time in the theatre industry, as well
as appearing in productions around the world.

Member/Beneficiary Profile With public school funding decreasing, the

first thing being cut are art programs. BAAY offers an outlet for children to
express their passion for theatre and obtain an education in arts. Children who
are involved in art programs benefit in numerous ways. A story about the impact
BAAY has had on a specific child and their family could emphasize the need for
volunteers at BAAY as well as advertise the benefits of the services and programs
that BAAY offers.

Mission/Issue Story BAAY strives to enrich the lives of children through

exploration of the arts in an affordable way. Without BAAY, children wont have
an outlet to a true education in arts and will be lacking in the benefits it would
yield for the child such as:

Confidence Responsibility
Self Esteem Teamwork
Self-Discipline Collaboration
The ability organize and prioritize Leadership
Self-Reliance Empathy
Poise Compassion
The ability to converse with adults
Better scores in school curriculum

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Media Clips:

BAAY Welcomes New Executive Director, Ian Bivins

www.whatcomtalk.com/2016/06/01/baay-executive-director-ian-bivins

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BAAY Brings arts to children
www.bellinghamherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article75146487.html

Help your kids explore science, theater, music, art

www.bellinghamherald.com/living/family/article95203967.html

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Photos of the Organization in Action:

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