, a vital 501 (c) (3) charitable nonprofit organization, announced today that Amy Malkemes will be joining the foundation as the Vice President of Philanthropy. The BAAF raises critical funds for Boston's only public high school for the visual and performing arts. In her role, Malkemes will oversee donor relations and drive philanthropic revenue while promoting the BAAF's mission and the success of Boston Arts Academy students. 

"I firmly believe that access to a quality education is a true game-changer in one's life," said Malkemes. "I have had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the transformational impact of a Boston Arts Academy education, as my niece Cady Malkemes graduated as salutatorian of her class in 2021," she said. "Having this professional opportunity to join the Boston Arts Academy Foundation as their new Vice President of Philanthropy is truly an honor. I look forward to raising the necessary funds to provide Boston's best and brightest youth with access to a high-quality arts-intensive education," she said.

"As a proud alum of Boston Arts Academy, I am thrilled for my aunt to join the team that made my education at the school possible," said Cady Malkemes. "The free fine arts education and creative academic space I had access to at the school profoundly influenced me into the person I am today. I am deeply honored to know that my aunt will now work to provide this unique access possible for future students!" 

Amy Malkemes comes to the Boston Arts Academy Foundation with over 20 years of experience in fundraising, including Director of Development roles at the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and Lena Park Community Development Corporation. Most recently, she served as the Director of Advancement at Cathedral High School in the South End; Amy provided leadership to a team of development professionals, raising $2.8 million annually. During her time at Cathedral, she provided vital support and oversight to Cathedral's successful $60 million Cathedral Now, Cathedral Forever campaign, ensuring that the school will remain open for the next 100 years.

“I am incredibly excited for Amy to join our team,” said Denella Clark, President and CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. “I am confident her extensive experience with diverse organizations and proven track record for successful fundraising will help us reach our goals to create the best opportunities for our deserving students at the Boston Arts Academy,” Clark said.

Amy is a Massachusetts native of Raynham and currently resides in Saugus. She received her bachelor's degree at Gordon College, majoring in Social Work, and two master's degrees from Bryn Mawr College, including a Master's in Law and Social Policy and a Master's in Social Service. When Amy is not raising funds for Boston's youth, she is an active member of Calvary Christian Church and Good Hope Inc. in Lynnfield, MA. In her spare time, she enjoys watching both the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots, and in the summer, you may see her out with her husband on their Harley Davidson.

About the Boston Arts Academy Foundation: 

The Boston Arts Academy Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 1999 with a crucial mission. It exists to bridge the gap between the Boston Arts Academy's allocation from Boston Public Schools and the true cost of a high-quality, arts-intensive, and college preparatory education. Each year, the foundation relies on the support of foundations, corporations, and individual donors to ensure the school can continue to offer a comprehensive arts and academic education. Your support is instrumental in shaping the future of Boston's young artists and performers.

Photo Credit: Kathryn Brodie

 Boston Arts Academy Foundation Announces New Vice President of Philanthropy  

On December 21, 2022, our media partner, NBC, welcomed a group of Boston Arts Academy vocalist majors to its studio. Here, they watched 

 live from behind-the-scenes on the stage and in the control room, recorded a rendition of a holiday classic "Joy To The World," and toured the studio. The students met with BAA Foundation Board member and VP of Programming, Maggie Baxter; 

's On-Air Host, Anna Rossi; and BAA Honors 2022 TV + Film Honoree and Emmy-Award Winning Anchor, Latoyia Edwards. Latoyia cheered on BAA's students during an impromptu performance in the newsroom, announcing, "You are all stars!" 

Thank you, Maggie and NBC, for all you do to create opportunity for our students. 

Creating Opportunity:  Watch An On-Air Holiday Performance!

Ciccolo Family Foundation 

Ray Ciccolo and Christine Grace of the Ciccolo Family Foundation visited Boston Arts Academy to take a tour and present the BAA Foundation with a check for $20,000 to help fund arts programming for BAA's talented students. During the tour, Head of School Dr. Anne Clark shared how special BAA is as a school - a place where art is the students' language of learning, and where their talents and feeling of belonging is affirmed. The Ciccolo Family Foundation cares deeply about giving back to the local community, arts & culture, education, environmental, and health & wellness causes. We are grateful for the Ciccolo Family Foundation's support and growing partnership! 

Nov 18 4 master class A.I.M by Kyle Abraham

Company dance members from A.I.M by Kyle Abraham visited Boston Arts Academy to host a master class. A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is currently touring in Boston and performing at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre. Read more about the company's focus on giving back to local communities, and their upcoming show today in 

Giving Tuesday 2022

 It's the season of giving, and November 29 is a big day for BAA Foundation. Learn more about doubling your impact and join us on 

Student Singers

 Boston Arts Academy is hosting a series of Winter Shows, by major. Learn more about show dates and more 

Boston Arts Academy Alumni Association is running/walking the MR8K. Join Team Boston Arts Academy: 

. If we register 50+ Team BAA participants, we can win a Challenge Grant of $5,000 (or more!) from the Martin Richard Foundation.

Interested in learning more about BAA, BAA Foundation, or getting involved? Contact Grace at 

This Month at BAA: November Recap

Over 400 guests attended BAA Honors 2022 in support of and to celebrate Boston Arts Academy’s (BAA) 25 years of impact as Boston’s only public high school for the arts. BAA Foundation’s signature event and largest fundraiser of the year raised $2.3M to fund arts programming and more for BAA’s talented and deserving students. Honorees included Lee Pelton with Honors in Lifetime Achievement, Lee Michael Kennedy for Civic Responsibility, Michaela DePrince for Dance, Kobi Halperin for Fashion, Terri Lyne Carrington for Music, Latoyia Edwards for TV + Film, and Bryan Rafanelli for Visual Arts.

Photography by Craig Bailey, Annielly Camargo and Dante Luna

Boston Magazine Party Pics: BAA Honors 2022

On Saturday, October 8, BAA Foundation hosted its largest fundraiser of the year for Boston Arts Academy: 

! This was the first major event BAA Foundation hosted in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 400 guests attended and raised $2.3M in support of BAA students. Student majors in Dance, Music and Theatre performed, and majors in Fashion and Visual Arts displayed their work.

Four students in the Fashion + Tech program at Boston Arts Academy were invited to be part of The Peers + Pros Project at 

. The project is a creative learning initiative sponsored in part by Koch Institute Public Galleries. Students designed looks and worked with a team that included professionals at Koch Institute Public Galleries, MIT Museum’s Maker Lab, Boston Public Library’s Teen Central, and School of Fashion Design, Boston.

 in its beautiful theatre. The assembly included performances and a showcase from students studying dance, music and filmmaking, as well as remarks from special guest speaker and BAA alum '05, Abraham Olivo.

WATCH HERE a clip of the student performances!

Urbanity's Company danced alongside students from 

 students worked behind the scenes managing stage lighting and technical elements for the Call of Courage show. Call of Courage is a five-part collaboration featuring choreography set to stories of perseverance from Boston’s youth.

This Month at BAA: October Recap

Denella Clark, President and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation, has been recognized by The Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) Massachusetts Chapter with the Massachusetts Gives Award in the Outstanding Fundraising Professional category.

Fiercely committed to equity, inclusion, and raising revenue to advance the public good, Denella Clark has more than 30 years of experience managing nonprofits in the arts education, academic medicine, youth development and human services sectors. She also has significant experience with public policy and legislation to help women and people of color. A transformative and respected leader, she currently leads an organization that secures essential funding to support Boston Arts Academy, the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Eighty-four percent of the school’s students identify as Black or Latinx, and most come from low-income families. Many become first generation college graduates. Over the past six years, she has led the effort to grow the organization from the ground up and raised over $20M as part of a $32M comprehensive campaign. Earlier in her career, she was part of the leadership team for Joslin Diabetes Center’s successful $100M capital campaign, and Dimock Center’s first $25M campaign. In 2015 Governor Charlie Baker appointed Denella to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). In 2020, MCSW members elected her Chair, making her the first Black woman in the Commission's history to serve in this role. Denella is also currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for Fontbonne Academy. Of all of her titles, Denella is most proud to be called “Mommy-in-Chief” by her son and daughter.

Denella will be recognized and honored for her achievements during the Massachusetts Gives Awards on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the UMass Club in Downtown Boston.

Community News

Boston Arts Academy Foundation Announces New Vice President of Philanthropy

Creating Opportunity: Watch An On-Air Holiday Performance!

This Month at BAA: November Recap

Boston Magazine Party Pics: BAA Honors 2022

This Month at BAA: October Recap

Boston Arts Academy Foundation President Receives Massachusetts Gives Award

Talent is evenly distributed in society, but not opportunity. Help us change that reality in Boston.

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